why I listen (my faith metaphor)
I have been thinking about the relationship of faith and life for some time, trying to figure out what metaphor would work the best. Many came to mind, such as walking the road, or following the trail. But mostly these never really seemed to fit how I have experienced the role of God in my life.
There is this great story about Elijah in 1 Kings 19. He is running from Jezebel after murdering all the prophets of Baal (a rival god) and he meets God on Horeb, the mountain of the Lord (better known as Sinai). God asks him, “What are you doing here?” and Elijah gives him this sob story about being all alone; how all the other prophets have been killed and he is going to be next. God, in response, tells him to come out of the cave.
“And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”” (1 Kings 19:11-13, ESV)
So often in my life I have had similar experiences, having to wait for the still small voice of God in the raging tempest of the world. I began to view my life as listening to the wind. That is, after all, a major metaphor for the work of the Holy Spirit.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”” (John 3:8, ESV)
Imagine my delight when I ran across this video on youtube!
I am listening to the wind.
Great metaphor for faith Chad! I think of that passage in 1 Kings often. Hearing God’s voice amid the hustle and bustle of life can be so difficult – perhaps because too often we’re trying to hear something that will compete with all the noise, when really God is often speaking in a low whisper that would not be audible to us but for the contrast it has to the sounds of the world.
..i agree with Scott….i think it is of paramount importance for our spiritual health that we re-learn and then practice QUIET…i’ve been re-learning this for 2 years now ..its not easy …i would find myself turning on the T.V. UNCONSCIOUSLY then catch myself doing it or i would sit down to read and turn the T.V. on just for the background noise….i’ve heard it explained that we need the noise and distraction to drown-out the voice of our conscience…that makes a lot of sense when you stop and think about it….