If you're not a believer, you may be snickering at my question. Thinking I'm naive or delusional. For those of us who understand the universe as a creation with a higher power — we see God's hand at work every day. But during these times of disease, death, distrust and dystopia, it's easy to miss the divine.
This week, while reading my daily scripture, I was lifted by this passage about the Hebrew prophet, Elijah: "There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD — but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake — but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire — but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound." (1 Kings 19:11-12)
God was in the quiet sound. Not the noise. The shouting, the crying and the fear. The explosive combustion and turmoil. The source of all life speaks in a whisper. But that whisper is calling through the storm and the sunrise. But we have to listen.
There's a parallel story in Christian scripture. Jesus is aboard a fishing boat with his disciples when a storm swells on the Sea of Galilee. He was sleeping in the stern while his fishermen friends panicked. They woke him saying, "Teacher, do you not care we are perishing." (Mark 4:38) Jesus awoke and spoke to the wind and sea. "Quiet. Be still," he commanded. (Mark 4:39) And nature obeyed. Turning to his disciples, he asked them why they were so afraid. Why no faith? They were awed.
Like you, I have sailed through many storms in my life, and too often, forgotten to thank God for calming the waves. Of course, when all is well, it's easy to overlook the source of the warm breezes. St. Paul said, "Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
With a grateful heart, I'm listening for that whisper. I hope you hear it, too.
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