The Wilderness, the Quiet and God’s Voice

Red Creek, Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

Backpacking with my family in the West Virginia wilderness, I easily detached from the noise of the everyday. I resonated with the quiet and subtle sounds of water flowing over rocks, rushing waterfalls, birds chirping as my feet plodded along the trail, avoiding and using the roots and rocks, hiking poles clacking down or sinking in the muck with every step. 

At the campsite, I remember looking up at the spruce and ash trees while hearing the soft rustling wind sweeping through the leaves and branches. It started from an unknown place, then traveling away from where I stood. In awe, mesmerized at the absorbing beauty, I was reminded of the Holy Spirit flowing where she will. What is it about the quiet whisperings of nature that brings us to our knees? 

In 1 Kings we read about the Prophet Elijah at a cave on Mt. Horeb. His life had been threatened and he was at the end of his rope. He felt the unrelenting, fierce wind, then an earthquake and finally fire. Then, unexpectedly, Elijah hears “a sound of minute stillness,” the tiny whispering of a light breeze that causes him to cover his face in his cloak. He knew he stood in the very presence of God who can be manifest in any form. Humbled and emboldened to keep going, Elijah proceeded to follow God’s commands. 

May we seek the quiet, wherever it can be found, so we can hear God’s voice.