A Still Small Voice

“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).

I’ve always thought this was an interesting way to call attention to intuitive listening. The New King James version footnotes “a still small voice” with a delicate, whispering voice. The point seems to be that the Lord does not speak in a booming, earth-shaking voice from heaven, but in a way we might describe as quiet knowing. Be still and know that I am God.

The still small voice is not a voice at all. It comes as a breath of inspiration, a knowing that we are more than whatever challenge we may be facing. I also like to point out that this voice can present as a gnawing dissatisfaction. This is probably the way most people experience it, though we do not necessarily associate it with the voice of God. If we pay close attention to the feeling of uneasiness, we will find that a running internal dialogue, or mind chatter, is going on. Regardless of what the chatter is about, it is blocking the free flow of Spirit. Thus, the feeling of uneasiness. Rather than tying ourselves in emotional knots, we can release this negative energy and return to our natural flow.

The mind chatter is the wind, the earthquake, and the fire that so easily get our attention. In whatever form this comes, recognize that you can let it go and experience the calm of the delicate, whispering voice. That is, you can tap into the calm peace of your soul. You notice the chatter is loudest when you have an issue that needs a resolution. Even if a resolution is not in sight, remind yourself that one will come soon, that maybe later in the day or even tomorrow things will take a positive turn. But you are here, and the still small voice is speaking now. It is saying, peace, be still and know that everything is fine. Your life is now unfolding the highest good you can imagine. When you feel the release, which you surely will, the natural, calm peace of your soul is restored.