Stopped In Your Tracks
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“The Lord said to Elijah, “Go, stand in front of me on the mountain, and I will pass by you.” Then a very strong wind blew until it caused the mountains to fall apart and large rocks to break in front of the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a quiet gentle sound.” I Kings 19:11-12
On a recent run in the morning, the wind gusts were strong. It was great when the wind was at my back, and it seemed to push me forward. But when I turned the corner and the wind hit me in the face, it stopped me in my tracks for a moment. I could not move because of the force of the wind. “Wow,” I said. I had met the force of the wind and the wind won for a moment.
Life stops us in our tracks – a diagnosis, an accident, a death, a disappointment, and the list goes on and on. “Wow!” We cannot move nor comprehend what just happened. Life stands still for a moment. The force of pain, sadness or evil takes over, and it is so foreign to us that we do not know what to do. We are just numb, and life feels like it just stops.
Life can also take our breath away in its amazing beauty. In some of my morning runs, I see the sunrise and when I turn the corner and look straight at the brilliant beginning of the day, I have no words. I just raise my hands and worship the glory of God in the morning light. God takes my breath and my words away as I witness His glory.
I am sharing some often-used phrases to describe the feelings of life. Life can also give us cold chills. For instance, when someone who is dying, talks about seeing loved ones who are in Heaven with them now on earth. When a little boy sees angels in his house and recognizes one angel as his grandmother who is in Heaven. When someone tells a story of how God protected them and saved them. We get cold chills knowing God is present in those moments.
Life stops us in our tracks in the good and in the struggles. It pauses us. The moment is beyond our human comprehension. Even in those moments that we barely can breathe because of the devastation and pain, God is still with us. We usually do not see God. Elijah did not see God in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire but God was present. God is not in it, but He allows the bad to happen. We cannot comprehend why God allows it. Our desire is for bad things not to happen especially for those who believe and worship God. It does not make any sense. We are angry and think God is not in control. That is when we try to take control of our own lives, but we cannot make it better or fix it on our own. We may think we are being punished.
When life stops you in your tracks, takes your breath away, or gives you cold chills, look around, God is with you. God is not loud. God is as close as your breath and is the spirit within you. God is that gentle sound, that gentle whisper that tells us, “I am with you.” Do not be afraid.” Your life will have earthquakes that devastate you, fires that destroys relationships, and winds that send you in wrong directions, but life also gives you the gentle whisper of hope found in listening to God speak to you. We desire to control life and prevent the whirlwind of chaos, but it is part of life.
Life will stop you in your tracks. Stand still and listen for God’s gentle sound. Reach out and take the hand of God. Live in this moment. Be grateful for God’s presence in the chaos of life. You are not alone. Breathe in the Holy Spirit.
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