by Jamie Roussie

Here, Elijah meets God after a long and arduous journey through the wilderness. God supplies the provisions Elijah needs at the outset and leads him to a significant encounter that redefines Elijah's ministry. Much has been said and written about the symbolic meaning of the details in this event—the 40-day wilderness journey, the lack of God's voice in the storm, earthquake and fire and the final manifestation in the calm, whispering voice. I honestly struggle with a symbolic understanding of the meaning of these details and wonder if I'm supposed to read this story and think God will come to me in similar ways.

It seems to me, though, that one aspect of Elijah's encounter with God is very consistent with similar encounters. When God meets with a person, it's on God's terms and the person is humbled and changed. Most often, these encounters happen within the context of silence and solitude. Together, the pattern seems to say that God meets with people when they are open, honest and humble before him. In this transforming environment, we can deeply reflect and meditate on God's word, while he applies and transforms us through it. I've experienced this kind of transformation in my own life as I've begun to reflect and pray over Bible passages.

A fellow traveler,
Jamie