Looking for Answers

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you just needed God to speak loud a clearly to you? You know, that very loud, audible voice? I imagine it to be a very deep, booming voice. I'm not sure why, exactly, but that's the way I hear it.
Scripture teaches that God doesn't always answer in the way we think He should. Many times, it is through a small still voice that we are yelling too loud to hear.

The prophet, Elijah had just experienced God in His fullest. God had shown Himself to His people and to those who did not believe. When all was said and done, a woman named Jezebel decided she would have him killed. Elijah ran for his life!
He ran into the wilderness alone and prayed that he might die. He said that he had had enough. Elijah was exhausted, completely drained, and still feeling very much alone. I've been there. OK-so not exactly. But, I have been to the point where I was done. No more. I couldn't take another day. I can understand. All this miraculous stuff has just happened, and he is still out there alone (in his eyes).

There is no record that God said anything to Elijah at this point. Finally, Elijah falls asleep. God
did send an angel to care for Elijah. This angel woke him up and made him eat and drink so Elijah would not die and would regain his strength. Then the angel lead Elijah to Mount Horeb (the mountain of God).

At Mt Horeb is the first time God speaks with Elijah. He asks Elijah what he's doing there. Now, I have a picture in my mind of Elijah's face at this point... and true to form (as any of us would) Elijah let's loose with all his frustration. Again, he tells God to let him die.
God tells Elijah to step outside of the cave in His presence. Now, as you think about this next part, as I understand it, God was there the whole time all of this was going on.
First a mighty wind blew, then an earthquake happened, and fire came after the earthquake. God was in none of these. Where was God? He was there. Just in none of the three big things you would think He'd be in. After the fire, came a voice, a soft whisper. That was God's presence. He was in the whisper. Wow. Think about how powerful a whisper can actually be.

Sometimes we are looking for God in the wind and the fire, or even the earthquake. More than not, God is in the soft whisper. We just have to stop talking (whining, crying, complaining...) and listen. Soft voices are often difficult to hear, especially when we are talking over them.