Thursday, December 28th

“Be still, and know…”

How do we become aware of God’s presence?

We are constantly looking for miracles, signs proving God’s power and glory – wonderful healings, rescues at desperate moments, storms stilled on sea and in life, food for a multitude. On the other hand, at times I marvel at just how far the Lord has to go to get our attention! Burning bushes, great floods, visions of the heavenly realms – all of these are recorded with awe.

But Elijah records another encounter – one when he dearly desired the reassurance of God’s support and care. On this occasion he saw the firs, felt the whirlwind and earth shake – but finally found God as “a still small voice,” (or as the NRSV has it, “the sound of sheer silence.”) Would we have ever thought to listen after all those displays of power?

In many respects, the birth of Christ is like that quiet whisper. We are seldom awed by a baby; we rather seek to hold it, protect it, and cuddle it. And this birth was not one in the palaces of power, with the expectation of inheriting authority, with servants at the ready to meet every need. Few paid attention. Births do take place daily, and more than we care to admit it, in rough surroundings.

In this Christmastide, we might need to be looking for God in new places – in the quiet of the day, in the dreams and hopes for a better life and a better world. Can we learn to be so in tune with our Master that shouting at us is unnecessary?

HOW CAN WE PRACTICE BEING SILENT AND LISTENING FOR GOD?

Prayer: Lord, teach us to listen. Show us the quiet of the stable where shepherds and wise men alike can bow in devotion, and discover the Messiah of the world. Amen.

Dr. John Clifford