Rushing home this afternoon, somewhat weary from the day's ministry, I stopped at the traffic lights and looked across at an all too familiar hospital located on the adjacent corner. While waiting for the signal to go, I suddenly remembered that one of our chapel members had been admitted the day before. Should I visit? No, yes, no...after all, I'm too tired and just need to recuperate a little. On the other hand, it might be nice to pop in for a while. Perhaps not! The lights have changed in my favour.
Well, I crossed the intersection and felt that God was somehow behind the wheel, for next thing I knew I had turned into the carpark driveway even though my mind said "C'mon, drive on!" Resigning myself to a hospital visit, I made my way through the ward and arrived at the patient's bedside only to find her in a state of utter despair and frustration. And immediately I knew that God had directed me there ~ my presence was needed in that very room. Without a doubt, this was a "God moment" for me and a "Grace moment" for my dear friend.
As we shared together, the hymn verses composed centuries ago by John G Whittier came alive and inspired me in my own weariness.
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!
It always pays to listen to the 'still, small voice' within and be guided in the ways of God!
1 Kings 19:11-12 (MSG) ~ "God will pass by... 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."
