The Voice

Middle Lake
in the Wilcox Lake Wilderness Region
Southern Adirondacks
November 2013

Back in November I took a friend to one of my very favorite hiking trails in one of the more remote wilderness regions of the Adirondacks.  I've hiked this trail about 9 times in the last 25 years. I never tire of it because I've done it in every season except mid-winter and I always see something new or different. Along the 3.8 mile trail, there are 3 lakes:  Bennett, Middle, Murphy.  All of them are still.  Clear water that boats, other than rowboats, have never touched. Where the cry of the loon can be heard and the print of a bear often seen..........where the wind whistles through the pines and the crunch of old leaves lie underfoot.  Where grass grows green in summer and trees stay green in winter. Where water is aplenty.

It's quiet there.  For my spiritual temperament of "naturalist", this works for me.  I can be in the awesome creation that God made us......surrounded by many of my favorite things in nature.......and hear that Voice.

My word for 2014 is "Still" as in "be still and know that He is God" from Psalm 46.

I'm finding my self enjoying the quiet moments this month.........the moments where flurries are lightly falling, shadows lie long on the snow-covered deck, and steaming mugs of coffee warm my hands.........

Just sitting still, trying to listen to His still, small Voice.

And in my morning devotions today, I was reading from Psalm 63: 1

photo courtesy of Beth Howe

I can't imagine not living near water.  I can't imagine hiking in a desert and not seeing cool, clear streams and mountain summits green. I would much rather sit near the lake in the first photo, wouldn't you?

Not knowing God is like being in a dry land.

Not seeking after Him is like being thirsty!

Just like the grasses of the trails need to have plenty of water to thrive, so does our relationship with God. We need to spend time with Him. We need to be IN the relationship actively pursuing Him so we can thrive....and so the relationship can thrive.

It's in that relationship...that intimacy with God, that we will be able to hear His Voice.

Maybe right now you are hearing the voices of anxiety........

..........or fear..........or guilt.......or pride.......or wrong desires..............

But if we are spending quality time with our Savior.........

time in the Scriptures, and in talking with Him (prayer!), we will begin to hear Him.

To know Him.

To trust Him.

To hear Him............His Voice.....

Be Still...........and know that He is God.