To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 4, Day 2 - We Live the Example of Christ in All We Do
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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 tore 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. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11–13
Men tend to want answers, especially when things are not going right. Not only that, but we usually want our answers to be grand, loud, and larger than life. We want God to move heaven and earth to satisfy our needs. And yet, when we are in our worst moments, that is exactly what we do not need!
In the passage above from the First Book of Kings, Elijah had just stood up to the prophets of Baal. He called on God to send down holy fire on his water-soaked sacrifice, and God did as he asked. But then the cruel words of a wicked woman sent him running for his life to hide in a cave. Elijah came to the mountain where God had spoken to Moses, hoping for some great sign to ease his deep despair. He encountered a howling wind, a thundering earthquake, and a raging fire; yet God was not present in any of these signs. Instead, it was the almost inaudible whisper of the Almighty that brought Elijah out of the cave in trembling and awe. God spoke his presence powerfully into Elijah’s spirit, offering him comfort, reassurance, and a new sense of purpose. God wants to speak to us in the same way.
What can we, as Catholic men, learn from Elijah’s experience? This week we will consider the following:
1. No matter how well things are going, we can stumble at any moment.
Our pride is often our undoing. We need to remember that while God wants to grant us success, we need to remain humble before him. He longs for our obedience and our love more than our valiant efforts. We should always take care, lest we fall (cf. 1 Cor 10:12).
2. God speaks in whispers.
Certainly God has used great signs throughout the ages to show his people who he is. But he usually speaks in simple and subtle ways: through the beauty of creation, in the voices of friends, by little “chance” happenings, through his holy word, and within the quiet of our hearts. If we are willing to listen to that still small voice, we will hear a great deal.
3. God’s answers come in his time and in his way.
Though it was not in the way Elijah expected, God provided the perfect answer to his struggles. He provides unique and unusual miracles in the same way to us today. We may not always understand how God will answer our needs, but we must believe that he will do so each and every time.
4. Our help often comes from people in the Church.
Just as God provided Elijah 7,000 believers who had not bowed down to Baal (cf. 1 Kgs 19:18), he provides brothers and sisters in the Church who will lift us up, provide support, and stand with us as we face our struggles and press on to do the work God has called us to do.
5. When God gives his answer, we find new strength.
Elijah found new strength to continue his mission to preach to God’s people when he experienced God’s answer given in power and love. No great sign is as wonderful as the love of Christ poured out upon our lives.
A Call to Action
As Catholic men, we need to be open, vulnerable, and willing to follow as God leads. This week seek out fellowship with a brother as a way to gain some clarity on your own walk with Jesus. Look for new ways of listening for God’s still small voice. Try a new prayer style, take a stroll, and listen for the Spirit in the world around you. Hear God speaking to you in your family. Accept that you need Christ to guide you, and allow the Holy Spirit to whisper his wonderful words of hope into your life this week.
Our greatest witness to the Gospel is not necessarily in great signs, but in the changed lives of those who are willing to listen to the still small voice of God. As we find strength and renewal in the daily whisperings of heaven’s hope, we can work to share this great joy with all we meet. As we become open to the Gospel, we will live it out more fully with others.
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
