God Gently Whispers

I have a story to tell you. Back in June I helped with our church's middle school retreat which is called Breakthrough. We have at our church a young man who I think is quite remarkable. He has put together 63 prayer stations - I mean he has them written out in an extremely organized fashion with lists of all the supplies needed for each station, etc. Did I mention this guy is a senior in high school? Anyway he set these up for our middle schoolers and it was quite an extraordinary experience. One station in particular has had a huge impact on me personally. It was so simple. You walk up to a big easy chair and pick up the paper in the seat, sit down and read the following:

1 Kings 19:11-12 "The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. Afther the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

Then you're to stop and listen. You're trying to hear God gently whisper. This is what I heard, as clear as a bell, though gently, very gently, "I love you with an everlasting love." That simple. I stood up and walked away, profoundly moved. As if that weren't enough, the amazing thing about it is how many times since that day up until now, 6 months later, at just the exact time I needed to hear it He has gently whispered those same words to me. I love Him so much. I wonder what in the world I did before. Then I remember. I feared. I don't fear anymore. Thank You, Father.