2025 – Welcome to the New

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:12-13

Silence. January 1, 2025 Pam and I awakened to a new year of quietness. I lay in bed listening. There are no pitter patter of feet in the house, no children hungry for breakfast, no dog scratching to go out for a morning stroll. We are empty nesters joining the myriad of couples who have walked this way before us.

It’s funny, we you think it is totally quiet and begin to listen you hear the background noises that have been filtered out. The slow hum of the refrigerator motor keeps the food cool. The huffing of the outside heater fan begins its bellowing of air through the duct work. One bird calling to another. In the distance one dog barks to signal to others, this is my house.

And then I hear the rhythmic breathing of my wife lying beside me. It’s calmer now than the last few days of a stuffy sickness. I remember waking up on our first morning of marriage and looking at her sleeping beside me and thinking, “i get to sleep next to this beautiful woman every night.” Now, nearly 38 years later, I smile and give God thanks again for this beautiful woman sleeping next to me.

In our passage today, the prophet of Elijah has been going through a rough season. Depressed and hiding in a cave for fear of his life, God shows up. God gives a display of many of the “acts of God” – devastating wind, earthquake and fires. But God is not in those.

Then God comes to Elijah in a whisper. Elijah recognizes something is different in the quietness. In the stillness, it is time to listen – God is speaking.

What is God asking you?

He asked Elijah what he was doing hiding in a cave and Elijah gave a response. After his honest answer, God gave him instructions for his next assignment. What is God asking you?

In the stillness, listen, God is speaking. His children have the ability to hear the good shepherd and follow His voice. Even if you are going through immense turmoil, Even if you are depressed, even if you are standing on the threshold of an uncertain future, God is speaking to you. He is present with you.

What is God asking of you and where is He leading in 2025?

Welcome to the New Year! Surely goodness and mercy are following you all the days of your life.

Blessings Love y’all