When was the last time you were surrounded by silence?
From the time we wake up in the morning to the time we go to sleep we are surrounded by sound. Much of that sound comes with messages. TV, internet, talk on the radio and music. Or simply by people talking to us, a text, a phone call. Someone or something is always filling our life with sound.
That is something I love about riding a motorcycle. I'm not knocking those who want music or a bluetooth phone, but for me being on a bike is a way of shutting out those interruptions. Sound is reduced mostly to the engine and the wind.
I love riding country roads, stopping someplace beautiful just to take in God's creation. Riding, void of technology with its interruptions... Many times I have heard from the Lord that way.
I don't think we do that enough.
Reading 1 Kings today
"The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)
All that drama and noise, it must have been an amazing display. But when it suddenly stopped, how quiet it must have been for Elijah.
And then, in that silence, he heard the voice of the Lord.
Notice what Jesus did when his earthy ministry was beginning to grow.
"Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)
When was the last time you were surrounded by silence? When was the last time you took the time to carve out this kind of time for yourself, to listen for the voice of the Lord? How often do we shut out the world to find the one who
"...satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:5 (NIV)
Preacher Mike Beasley
Freedom Biker Church
919-550-FREE
