It’s a noisy world
Life. It’s full of noise – the roar of traffic on a busy road, aeroplanes overhead, people having parties at 2am when you want to get to sleep! Or there’s good stuff too, like meeting your friend for food at a busy restaurant or bouncing around worshipping God to loud music.
This is why you’ll often find me out in nature, to get some peace and restore sanity!
But even nature isn’t always quiet. Do you remember the great hurricane of 1987? I woke in the middle of the night, heard the wind howling outside, rain beating against the window, and it felt like the house was going to cave in. I was really scared: “Mum! Dad! Where are you?”
Next morning as Dad walked me to school there were trees everywhere and those still upright were swaying dangerously in the wind. What on earth were we doing walking in it?!
A little less scary (hopefully!) are the birds…
Early in the morning just listen to them singing this spring. Wow! What a cacophony as the Dawn Chorus gets into full flow.
But whether it’s noisy, quiet or somewhere in between, nature can still have a positive affect on us.
Here I share how how nature can help you hear God’s voice…
God can break through the distractions of life
One way God breaks in is by using nature. He uses His creation to speak to us all the time…
- Jesus’ told parables (stories) set in nature to help people understand God’s kingdom and to impart spiritual lessons. The story of the wheat and the weeds (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43), the illustration of the fishing net (Matt 13:47-50) are a couple that taught His disciples something new and important.
- God answered Elijah’s prayers with fire and a rainstorm on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-45) to show the people He is the only God and He is in charge.
Much of the time it’s only when we get away from the busyness of life, even for a moment, that we’re open to his voice…
Elijah, after the noise and commotion of the mountain top and with Jezebel wanting him dead, fled into Sinai. He was depressed after all the excitement and needed rest. So the Lord looked after him encouraging sleep, and producing much needed food and drink. Then, while he was hiding in a cave, still physically weary and mentally low, that’s when he heard God speak:
“As Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” – 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT)
Elijah only heard God after the noise had died down, in the whisper after the wind.
So next time you want to hear from God consider finding somewhere quiet to be with Him, even for a moment. You could go for a walk in the park, sit in your garden with a cuppa, or even just poke your nose into the fresh air and breathe for a moment. He can penetrate even the most stormy of lives.
And do persevere. My experience is He doesn’t always speak immediately. When I decided to meditate regularly, quieting my mind and inviting the Holy Spirit in, it took quite a while for me to hear anything. And mostly he only speaks after I’ve left the quiet place when I’m doing something else. Washing up or driving to town perhaps. But I believe it’s only because I keep those regular quiet times to be with Him (sometimes in nature, sometimes not) that I hear anything at all.
I pray you’re able to find a quiet spot this week and can spend some peaceful time with Him. If you’re a parent, may your children be calm and allow you space. If you’re very busy may you have the discipline to prioritise God. And if you think all is well and you I don’t need the quiet, may you overcome any apathy and enjoy spending time in His presence.
God bless xx
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