When you hear it...

I'm a big fan of music... I don't think I've ever met someone who wasn't. Regardless of beliefs, education, circumstances, we as the human race are motivated by poetry set to music. We don't always have the same tastes- death metal, jazz, country, classical. There are many different sounds out there. Today I was listening to a song by Anna Nalick... It's called Shine. There is a line that says "There's a time when the poets and porn stars align and you don't know who to believe in. That's a good time to be leavin'." I've listened to it several times before, but today was the first time that it really hit me. It strikes me how often I'm in that situation.... the angel on one side and devil on the other.... listen to your head or your heart... etc...etc... but I'm struck by that story in Elijah... Elijah had just proven God was true on Mt. Carmel in a SPECTACULAR way... and rather than celebrating he asked God to end his life... said he had had enough. Then this-->

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.

Despite the fact that Elijah was ready to throw in the towel he still knew the voice of God when he heard it. I think it was all a test... God was seeing if Elijah, in the worst moment of his life, would listen to the chaos around him or if He would be ready to hear the silence. Elijah's complaint was that he was alone. He had fought the good fight, but he was alone in his love for the true God... and that's when God gave him Elisha.... gave him not only a fellow believer, but a prodigy... a son... a best friend... and when it was finally time for Elijah to go home he followed that still small voice onto a chariot of fire.... God picked him up.... wow.... all because he was listening to the right voice.

Who are you listening to?