The Still Small Voice

Philip Yancey tells the story of a friend of his who went swimming in a large lake at dusk: “As he was paddling at a leisurely pace about a hundred yards offshore, a freak evening fog rolled in across the water. Suddenly he could see nothing: no horizon, no landmarks, no objects or lights on the shore. Because the fog diffused all light, he could not even make out the direction of the setting sun.”

Yancey writes that his friend splashed about in absolute panic. “He would start off in one direction, lose confidence, and turn 90 degrees to the right. Or left – it made no difference which way he turned. He could feel his heart racing uncontrollably. He would stop and float, trying to conserve energy and force himself to breathe slower. Then he would blindly strike out again. At last, he heard a faint voice calling from shore. He pointed his body to the sounds and followed them to safety.”

Reflecting on Yancey’s story, my prayer for you is this: When the storms of life set in, when you feel lost or afraid, when all directions seem hopeless, may you hear the still small voice of God calling your name.

In Psalm 46 we read:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.

And then, in verse 10:

Be still and know that I am God.

Let us pray: We love you, Lord, and we trust that you hold us close. Even through the darkest night and the deepest valley, you are there. We ask you to give us courage to face the moment. Form in us an inner strength and a faith strong enough to see us through any circumstance.  Keep us ever mindful of your blessings which surround us on every side – even today. Amen.