Lean In

Think about it for a minute, what do you typically do when someone wants to whisper or speak to you in a quiet voice? For me the answer is I lean in. I'm not sure if that is a basic instinct or what, but as I reflect on my observations over the years, what I recollect is that people just lean in to get closer to the speaker when they want to hear what is being said, especially if it is being said in a quiet voice. 

The Old Testament prophet Elijah had one of those leaning in experiences with God back in 1Kings 19:11-13. Elijah was in a desperate situation and was basically hiding out from Jezebel's soldiers on Mt. Horeb. He was needing to hear from God, and here's how God delivered His message. Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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. God could have gotten Elijah's attention and delivered any message He wanted to through the storm, wind, fire, or quake, but instead God wanted Elijah to lean in and get really close to Him so, he whispered in a small, still voice. 

I believe that is what God wants us to do in our relationship with Him. When we face life's storms, when we feel shaken as if we are enduring an ongoing earthquake, God wants us to lean in and listen to what He wants us to know and understand. But how do we lean in to an invisible God you ask? We get in our own Mt. Horeb spot. A quiet place where we get alone with God and listen for that small still voice. We lean in to the Word of God and read His Holy Bible, and we most importantly hear from God when we develop a true relationship with Him. We lean in and by doing that we hear from Him in the midst of our storms, trials, and afflictions.  

James 4:8 tells us to "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...". As we begin to lean in to hear what God is saying to us, He draws closer to us. Leaning in to God is where we stop relying on our own understanding, finding strength through trusting, and an inner peace fortified in our faith. The storms may rage, and the night may be dark, but when we have the promises of God near our heart, mind, body, and soul, we lean in and He is there. Lean in!

Coach Carter