Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.” 1 Kings 19:11 (MSG)
Sounds great doesn't it....God passing by. What imagery do you picture when you hear the words "God passes by"? I always pictured calm. Maybe some music is playing and there is peace. Throw in a little sunshine, rolling white clouds, maybe a rainbow and the picture is complete. I said 'used to' because there are many ways God can pass by. As you read further in 1 Kings it says
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. (v 11-12)
God's presence doesn't always mean happy, smiley times. Sometimes, it comes with a storm. Sometimes things are just falling apart. Where it used to be "life is good", now it's downright chaotic. You can't seem to get a grasp on anything long enough to hold on. Here's the good news. Just because our lives seem a little out of control doesn't mean God is not in it.
If you are a follower of Jesus, life is going to be an adventure. Where God is involved there is going to be craziness. We are going to be uncomfortable. We are going to experience lots of insecurity and we are going to say lots of things like "Are you kidding me?" If you didn't have the downs with the ups, your faith would not grow. The only thing you'd learn to trust is yourself. God wants you to trust him.
As you are tossing and turning and churning through a difficult time, remember the last part of verse 12....."and after the fire a gentle quiet whisper." All throughout the storm God was there with Elijah. And he was talking. God is always with us in the tough times. He is whispering our names and offering comfort. Be still long enough to hear it.