A Still Small Voice

It’s a world of noise. Centuries back, pre-technology, when we lived our scatter lives, separated by vast distances in which we walked long distances to meet our neighbours, it was a silent world. Tending our vast lands, apart from the sounds of water burbling in the streams, the rustling of leaves and the birds twittering in the trees we lived in the world of our own thoughts and imagination. Apart from that it was a silent world.

In today’s world this natural silence and freedom to imagine is swamped by noise. We live amidst noise. The noise of the regular news cycle 24 hours a day, the regular round of politics, the constant sound of the radio or television, even as background noise. For some the constant companion of the latest music tracks or talk back radio blares in the background or from the earphones. The world of the computer arouses the internal noise of our thoughts. We can’t turn the volume off or down. Even when these aids are turned down, the ‘monkey mind’ continues the chatter deep within. We live swamped in noise.

Elijah had come under the scorn of Jezebel for killing all her prophets of Baal. He fled, when he heard of Jezebel’s rage. He went a day’s journey into the wilderness where he wanted to die. After falling asleep he eventually woke hearing an angel encouraging him to eat the scone before him for the journey would be long. After a day’s journey he came to Mount Horeb where he slept for a night. On awaking he stood before the cave, when a great storm brewed, a storm with such force that it blew the mountains apart and scattered the rocks. But the ferociousness of the storm did not represent the presence of the Lord. It was followed by a great earthquake, but still no sign of the Lord’s presence. Then came a massive fire and the roar of this disaster did not conjure the sense of the Lord’s presence. These disasters, and that is certainly what they were, signified the disruption of the entire stability of the planet that we live upon. Finally, all was calm and in the sheer silence, a still small voice spoke of the quiet serene presence of the Lord’s. The stability of life had been returned. He exited the cave and covered his face sensing he was in the Lord’s presence. It was a sacred encounter, unparalleled before.

As I have said, the world is full of noise. It is not as though we can eliminate all noise but all things in moderation would be wise advice. Political information is important for universal responsibility, documentary or educative podcasts enlighten our mind, entertainment is good for the soul, music lifts the heart and so on. But times of listening for the still small voice are vital for a sound balance. The regular seeking of this silence is a way to balance our experience. It opens our world to a  different light and colour, it is what is referred to as an enchanted world.

Whereas the tumultuous events caused terror in Elijah’s soul, it was the silence that brought a serenity and calmness to his spirit, where he could hear the word, in time echoed by Julian of Norwich that ‘all will be well, all manner of things will be well’.