March 8th - Reflection

1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)
Elijah hears God
 At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."

He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces 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 a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

Reflection

Do you suppose that Elijah was at the same place that Moses spoke with God on the mountain? Elijah was at a cave. Maybe God and Moses met at a cave on the mountain. Maybe we meet God at a cave too? The women and the disciples were in a hurry one morning to meet God at a cave.

God seems to be telling us at times to stop. Stop and listen to the gentle sound of silence. Stop and listen to Jesus in the silence. Stop and listen to what God has to say.

It's easy to get in a hurry in the hustle and bustle of our lives. It's easy to move about thinking only of what goals we have set for the day. It's easy to get all wrapped up in planning our every move. It's easy to lead a selfish life of my plan and my way. It's easy to forget to stop and listen for the gentle sound of silence and let go of the plans and listen to God.

Let go of my life and my plans and give my life and my plan over to the gentle voice, the still small voice, and listen to the life and plan God has for me.

Go to the stillness of the cave, the tomb, and witness the resurrected life in Jesus, God has there. Listen to the gentle sound of silence. Feel the presence of death becoming life in Jesus. In the tomb, in the cave, in the prayer, in God. In the gentle sound of silence, we hear that still small voice, with the mighty roar of eternal life. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I pause...I listen...In the silence I hear Jesus.  ---Amen