The Still Small Voice

Philip Yancey tells the story of a friend of his who went swimming in a large lake at dusk.  He was swimming at a leisurely pace, and a freak evening fog rolled in across the water. Suddenly he could see nothing: no horizon, no landmarks, no objects or lights on shore. The way the fog diffused the light, he couldn’t even tell which direction the sun was setting.

Yancey writes: “My 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 voice and followed it to safety.”

While it is a true story, it is also a great metaphor for our so often frantic lives. Often we wonder: What would God have us do next? What’s the next right step for me to take? How do I handle this confusing, scary situation? 

All of this raises the further question, how often do sit in quiet and listen for God’s still small voice?

Let us pray: God of hope, we pause even now for just a moment in your presence. Help us to carve out time apart with you. Grant us open ears, and open hearts, that we would be attuned to your peace and guidance; through Christ our Lord. Amen.