A Relational God

Have you ever been invited to meet with someone for the first time and found yourself feeling a bit nervous?

What will I say? Will they like me?

If you have asked these questions, you are in good company. The Old Testament prophet Elijah must have felt like this when God wanted to meet with him. The story is recorded in 1 Kings 19.

You can imagine Elijah's feelings as he prepared to meet with God. His heart starts beating fast as he wonders, "What is this going to be like?" He goes to the appointed place and waits. All of a sudden a hurricane-strength wind smashes against the mountainside with such power that the rocks split. Elijah is thinking, "This must be God showing up", but the text says, "The Lord was not in the wind". A little while later there's an earthquake that shakes the entire mountain and Elijah thinks, "This must be the presence of God", but it wasn't. Then a blast of fire consumes everything on the side of the mountain, but this still isn't God.

Finally a gentle voice speaks. it is soft...almost a whisper. God initiates a conversation with Elijah. In the conversation, Elijah pours our his frustrations and struggles. God gives direction and instruction...hope for the future. Like two friends, God and Elijah talk.

In this moment Elijah discovers something about God's nature. It's a lesson was could all learn if we are willing to come close enough to God. God is deeply relational. The powerful, holy, righteous, sovereign God also longs to experience an intimate relationship with you and I.

How is your relationship with Him?