Seeing God

​STEP #1: LECTIO / READ

1 Kings 19:9A, 11-16
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At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter.
But the word of the LORD came to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing 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.
After the earthquake there was fire--
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?”
He replied, “I have been most zealous for the LORD,
the God of hosts.
But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant,
torn down your altars,
and put your prophets to the sword.
I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.”
The LORD said to him,
“Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus.
When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram.
Then you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel,
and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah,
as prophet to succeed you.”

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​STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATE

Where do you see God? I have always struggled with this. I want God to provide me with a neon flashing sign saying, “This is my will! What is your hold up?!” But God isn’t like that. And when I am looking around waiting for a neon flashing sign, I am actually missing His presence right in front of me.

Sometimes, I get a little jealous of Elijah in today’s first reading. He has such confidence in the Lord’s presence to Him. And he didn’t need the great big sign, or the fire. Instead he found God in the little whisper of the wind.

How beautiful is that? God, doesn’t need a grand entrance. Instead, he needs us to be open to Him, to be looking for Him and to long for Him. When we stop, put down our phones and look around it is pretty amazing how we can see God around us.

Recently, this has been my goal. I want to see God more in my life. I want to stop missing Him. I want to know where He is calling me. So I have started looking. I have stopped waiting for the giant cannon to go off, but instead have looked for God in the kindness of a friend. I have seen God in someone helping me after a long day. I have seen God when I have looked up and saw the most beautiful sunset I wasn’t expecting. And I saw Jesus in front of me when I visited the adoration chapel after a long week. As I have looked for God and tried to be more aware of my surroundings, I have found Him and I have found it easier to try and see God’s path.
​
Elijah was on the run, fearing for His life, but after he encountered God, Elijah had the strength to carry out God’s will and return to the place that he had just been chased out of. Often doing God’s will is not about the giant decisions. Instead it is about doing our best to be the person God made us to be and living in communion with Him. ​

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​STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAY

When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Where do I see God? 

Where is God calling me?

Where do I need God's help in my life?

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​STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." - C.S. Lewis

"God, I want to see you."

"I am yours." 

​"Show me the way."

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​FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...

Today, look for God in your life. Take a walk with no headphones, no cell phone. Just walk and notice everything around you. Ask God what He wants you to see. 

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​SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN

​Today's prayer was prepared by Lisa Kendzior.