A little antique trip yesterday, and I’ll share about it later, but I found a gem of a book. “Watching the World Go By” (I. E. Gates, D.D., published 1930). Hence my thought today.
My first trip to Israel ended up going through Jordan on the way home. Much of Bible history included the surrounding lands and not just the nation of Israel. Though Petra was never mentioned (to my recollection), when we wandered down the long descending canyon to the city below, I was getting tired of hanging around people so much. I found myself pulled aside by a quietness. I stood in the shade and watched others as they went about their day.
This helped me to realize then, as well as even today, much of life’s observances are from the sidelines watching others in their mainstream. Think of it as a fish waiting in deep waters as the swirling mass of fish-anity (humanity?) went by. Or of a single lemming stepping out of the rat race as his fellow creatures went en masse toward the cliff. Even that wildebeest standing above the river watching his fellow beast challenge the river cross full of crocs or gators.
Could it be some of our best insights come
when we step out of the race and watch the world go by?
Still and Quiet
I’m not opposed to being neck in neck with others racing for the finished line, but I grow weary with the clamor, pace, and crowd. Step out of the extroverted state of existence, glean power from contemplating life in the quietness away from even the very fringe. Silence. A little dangerous because you have no support unless you get “their” attention. Peace. Ever been in a noisy place when the power shuts off unexpectedly. Startling at first, then your expectation forces you to seek those quiet places without all the noise. Quiet.
This reminds me of the prophet Elijah. He was afraid and worried. He was left alone to face the challenges. Israel seemed no longer interested in the Godly covenant established hundreds of years previously. They destroyed the holy articles of Godly focus, slayed the prophets, and Elijah felt he was in battle alone.
But God Speaks…
And He said: ‘Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.’
And, behold, the LORD passed by,
and a great and strong wind rent the mountains,
and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD;
but the LORD was not in the wind;
and after the wind an earthquake;
but the LORD was not in the earthquake;
and after the earthquake a fire;
but the LORD was not in the fire;
and after the fire a still small voice.
(1Kings 19:11-12, JPS)
Scripture does not tell us that God was in that Still Small Voice, but by the obvious power of occurrence, though God caused the Wind, Earthquake, Fire (Hmmm… sounds like a popular long running Rock Group), He was the creator of the still small voice. It’s in that still small voice that he gives Elijah his marching orders.
Here’s My Thought
It takes all kinds of moments to make a full life, but when the challenges are great you are at your best when you step off to the side and observe, pray, think, and contemplate. Big decisions are reached when you leave the noise behind. In the still of the night, the quietness of the storm, that place where you make momentous decisions.
Elijah listened to God’s instructions, but certain hope was found in a final verse of words.
Yet will I leave seven thousand in Israel,
all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal,
and every mouth which hath not kissed him.’
(1 Kings 19:18 JPS)
There is support! Seven thousand in the nation who have not given in to the calamity of the day. Rejoice! God knows who they are! God knows who you are! Don’t worry, you found God in the stillness away from the racket. He has a plan. Let him speak it to you. There are others in the fight. They are there when you need them. They will be there!
Last night, while on our first major vacating R&R, we spent the evening with my cousin and his bride. We remembered the past, laughed about the present and looked to the future. There’s strength in numbers, even when the grouping is small. Together, you can Watch the World Go By fulfilling God’s plan and know you are not in the challenge alone.