This world is loud, busy and even chaotic at times. Finding focus is challenging to say the least. I feel at times I'm caught up in a whirlwind and just hope to survive the twister of distractions. In the midst of the noise is a voice that calls out to us, that speaks instruction and encouragement.The still, small voice of God.I do not believe that God tries to elude us with his whisper or hide his will from us. After all, he is a God of invitation, daily pursuing us, calling us into his presence. Perhaps he speaks to us in a quiet voice so we will quiet ourselves before him. Our Father knows that unless we push away the distractions and focus that we will not really hear his heart.His heart is what we are listening for; it's what we long to hear.I recently heard that beautiful Christmas carol "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,do you hear what I hearRinging through the sky, shepherd boy,do you hear what I hearA song, a song, high above the treesWith a voice as big as the seaWith a voice as big as the sea

A voice as big as the sea? What about the whisper? Have you ever quieted yourself before the Lord, read his Word and felt like he was shouting his message to you, a word spoken just for you in that moment? Once the distractions of our crazy lives are eliminated and we come into his presence, his voice rolls and roars into our minds and hearts like ocean waves. Over and over he confirms his message to us, his love and grace.

That he would even speak to us. I can't really wrap my mind around that.

Of all the voices you hear today, which one will bring you the hope and peace you desire? Which voice will whisper words of life-giving wisdom, answering the deep questions of your soul?  The voice of God is singing over you today, but turning your ear to him is a choice that only you can make.

The Lord your God is with you,    the Mighty Warrior who saves.He will take great delight in you;    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,    but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I think we become consumed with the urgency of our lives and expect God to just yell louder if he wants us to hear him. I'm guilty of living days like that, putting myself in the middle of my universe and asking God to keep up.

I am the one who is invited into God's creation, presence, and plans. He is the gracious host of a banquet and I am the one blessed to sit and enjoy the abundance of his grace and goodness. His invitations are evidence of his lavish love. Over and over again he calls us to himself, invites us into his abundance. It's there at his table that we hear his voice. Hiding in his shelter, kneeling at his feet, walking in his ways, we will clearly hear that voice that's as big as the sea.

You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,    my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:12-13