You might be wondering if this stuff really works. After all, sitting at an imaginary table with people I can’t see…yeah. That’s how crazy looks.

Yep. It works. But it isn’t easy. The most difficult part of sitting at the table of the Lord is slowing down. We are not accustomed to pausing. Our world moves at an incredible pace, pushing and clawing to get more done in less time.

I am reminded of Elijah’s encounter with God in 1 Kings 19. Elijah had just come from the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. If you are unfamiliar with the story, click here to read it now. As often happens after an epic spiritual contest, Elijah experienced the worst depression a person can know. He lay down under a broom tree to die. But the Lord had other plans for him.

God led Elijah to a place of quiet and told him to wait. As Elijah waited for God to show up, there was a mighty windstorm, but God was not in the wind. Then an earthquake shook the mountain, but God was not in the earthquake. Then fire raged, but the Lord was not in the fire. And then…

And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

1 Kings 19:12-13

In order to hear God, sometimes we have to get quiet and wait. He isn’t in the noise and chaos surrounding us, he is in the gentle whisper in the quietness of the cave.

Does slowing down seem impossible? What would you need to do in order to get quiet enough for the Lord to speak to you?