WHEN THE SPECTACULAR IS THE DISTRACTION AND THE ORACULAR IS THE DIRECTION
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the 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 still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12, NKJV)
Elijah in the passage above is on a journey to receive fresh marching orders from the Lord. While he is at it, he gets greeted by very spectacular distractions in the forms of strong wind, earthquake and fire. It is almost as if the elements have decided to conspire together to ensure he gets distracted.
Meanwhile the Bible categorically specifies that God is not in any of the dramatic displays of the elements. God elected to rather reach out to Elijah in a gentle whisper —in a totally contrary fashion. God’s word for Elijah lay beyond the borders of the distractions.
Some of the accompaniments of the perilous times in which live are distractions that come in the forms of complex noises and very engaging displays. Like Elijah, we must learn to quieten our souls before the Lord by prayer and ministry of the word —daily.
Friends, this is no time to circumambulate the quarters of vanity and/or get carried away by the grand, boisterous displays of the age. Like it was in the days of Elijah, it seems as if all the ‘elements’ are conspiring together to distract us from hearing God.
In my personal experience, hearing God is what makes the difference between life and death; impact and sterility; pleasing God and displeasing Him.
Especially in a time such as ours, the believer must be up to date with the speakings of God as they advance on their pilgrimage on this side of eternity.
A christian who does not hear God for themselves is a like an aircraft 45,000 feet up in the sky with a failed navigation system.
We must press past the bandwidths of all distractions and secure God’s still small voice for our generation. The salvation of our generation does not lay in the spectacular displays of the age. It is figured in God’s gentle whispers —the oracles of God.
The distractions shall multiply as the age draws a close. But we’ve got the Holy Spirit —Spirit of the age to come to comfort and strengthen us in all things. Let’s make the most of Him through prayer and the ministry of the word please.
O fellow pilgrim, gird your loin and be ready to cut through the noise and drama and get God’s word which is able to deliver both you and those who hear you! How? Ample praying and studying—then witnessing!
With love from your brother,
Arome Osayi.
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