“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told Elijah. And as Elijah stood there, a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And the voice of God spoke, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” —1 Kings 19: 11-13
I believe when my devotionals aren’t read, my prayers are not said, and my attention is drawn to everything but You. I believe.
I believe when the sun is shining, the clouds are rolling, and the dark is overwhelming. I believe.
I believe with each breath in and with each breath out. I release my dependence on myself, and I believe.
I believe when I look to the sky and feel the wind blowing by. I believe.
I believe when I see how fleeting life is and in the beauty of it just beginning. I believe.
I believe when the illusion of control is broken, and life isn’t what it is supposed to be. I believe.
I believe.
Holy God, you often come to us in quiet and gentle ways. Too often we get distracted by the storms and chaos that swirls around us. In this Advent season, still our busy minds and quiet our rushing bodies, that we may hear the gentle words you speak to us. Help us to believe even in the storms of life. Amen.
Rhonda Tucker
Read other Advent 2020 Devotionals or download the book as a PDF.