In the Whisper

I was recently reading an article called "5 Travel Letdowns".  It listed five places that people go to see and they don't live up to expectations.   Number one on their list was the Mona Lisa.  They say it is smaller than you would expect, crowded and it doesn't WOW you.  And that is the way of things.  Somethings are just better in anticipation.  There may be a book that you really look forward to the movie, or the party that is only so so.  Or the amusement park that was more about standing in lines than riding rides.  Some things are just disappointing.

But have you ever had the situation that the event went off perfectly well, you just aren't happy?  Emotions are funny things.  Sometimes it's hard to rise to the occasion and allow ourselves happiness.  We can tell ourselves that it is silly, but that doesn't change the feelings that we are having.  

Now depression is a real disease that causes real problems for many people.  But that's not what I'm talking about here.  I am barely qualified to write this blog, let alone weigh in on a serious medical issue.  What I'm just talking about is the blues.  We feel sad, disconnected and alone, but we really don't need to.  We need to reset our attitude and get a fresh perspective.  So how do we do that.

The stories of Elijah in the Bible are pretty amazing.  He is part of one of the great smackdowns in history.  He challenges hundreds of the priests of Baal to a contest.  They are going to get their god to light a fire.  The priests pray and sacrifice, but no fire.  Then Elijah has water poured over the fire pit and with a quick prayer fire comes from the sky and engulf the alter in flame.  

Did you catch that, FIRE FROM THE SKY ENGULFED THE ALTER.  Now I don't know about you, but that would be a big deal in my book.  But Elijah is down and out.  He retreats to the woods and sleeps by a stream.  Then he is woken by an angel who feeds him.  

Did you catch that one? HE WAS WOKEN BY AN ANGEL WHO FEEDS HIM.  Now this would also rank right up there on the amazing affirmations from God list.  But Elijah, he is still down and out.  He is sent to a mountain where he is reflecting in a cave.  God sends the wind and an earthquake, but the finally speaks to Elijah in a whisper.  

Yes, in a whisper.

Watch this video from Pastor Chris.

Sometimes we just need to reset.  We need the affirmation from God that everything is good and right and heading on a proper course.  In those cases we should look for God, not in the amazing or the incredible but in the small quiet whispers.