"Dryholaus nature preserve" by Giuseppe Milo via Flickr (CC BY 2.0) - still small voice

Guided Reflection: ‘still small voice’

Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)
Cover photo: “Dryholaus nature preserve” by Giuseppe Milo via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Music: “periculum” by Kai Engel via Free Music Archive (CC BY 2.0)

"Dryholaus nature preserve" by Giuseppe Milo via Flickr (CC BY 2.0) - still small voice

Our first guided reflection podcast, in the style of Pray As You Go—but shorter. It’s a story you’ve probably heard, about Elijah’s journey to meet God on a distant mountain. The prophet has been through a lot recently, and this encounter with the divine helps him take stock and discern what’s next.

Media links: SoundCloud audio, direct audio

1 Kings 19:11-13a (WEB, CC0)

The LORD said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.”

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.

After the wind there was an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake a fire passed; but the LORD was not in the fire.

After the fire, there was a still small voice.

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave.

What might it mean that Elijah hears God not amid the dramatic and frightening cacophony but in quiet stillness?

Can you remember a time of solitude that was meaningful for you? What sensations and feelings does that memory bring back?

Both before and after this story, God asks Elijah to do some difficult things. Do you think God might be challenging you to grow in some way? Is there a first step you could take that would help you further reflect on this possible path?

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