The Still Small Voice

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to have G-d talk to you? This morning, as I was sitting at the coffee shop with my friend, we were discussing how it takes a special kind of person to hear G-d's voice. Take Moses, for example. He heard G-d's voice all the time. They had conversations. One might even say that they wrote a book together. But, did Moses get freaked out that first time G-d spoke to him? I would have.

The last thing I need in my already crazy world is another voice in my head. As my friend said, if G-d started to talk to me, I would make a bee-line for the nearest doctor's office.

Back when G-d was having these conversations with Moses, there was a lot going on. The Jewish people were being recreated and there were laws to be written and discussed. Even with all of that going on, the world was still quieter then it is now. I can only imagine that it was easier to listen for and hear G-d's voice. Being on top of a mountain, away from the throngs of people probably helped, too.

But seriously, today's world is too busy. It is too noisy. I don't mean the sounds of traffic or people, just noise in general. In our own minds. We are too busy to stop and smell the roses. We are too busy to listen for the still small voice of G-d.

Or maybe we are intentionally tuning out G-d's voice. If G-d spoke to me today, would I want to hear what he had to say to me? I can't really answer that question. I like to think I would get a good review, but there are conversations that I have with myself that are bad enough. I am not sure I would want to have these conversations with my best friend, let alone with G-d.

But, isn't there something to be said for listening to, and hearing, G-d's voice? I don't mean in the same way that Moses heard G-d. I don't mean having actual conversations. I mean, isn't there something to be said for allowing the calm, the stillness, to wash over you and remind you that we are not really in charge.

G-d's voice is all around us, if we allow ourselves to hear it. A rose glistening with morning dew, the thundering power of Niagara Falls, the laughter of a child. All of these are full of the still, small voice of G-d. All we have to do is open our hearts, and our minds, to hear it.

I am not one to make vows or promises of what I will do the next week. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that no matter how many times I promise to "work out daily," it doesn't happen. And we all know the physical benefits of regular exercise. But, what about the mental benefits of reflection. What about the mental benefits of allowing the still, small voice to enter your mind and your heart?

So, even though I am not going to promise, I think it would be in my best interest to at least open my mind to the possibility of hearing that still, small voice. Not every day for a week; not three times a week, but just today. Just today, I am going to open my mind and my heart to listen for G-d's voice.

I don't know if I will hear it. I don't know if G-d has any need to talk to me, but just for today, I am going to look at my world, and listen. Listen with my heart and listen with my mind. Maybe I will hear a brighter tone to my children's laughter. Maybe the grass will be greener and sparkle more brilliantly in the sunlight. Maybe I will learn something about myself.

What is the worst that could happen?