Mosaic (Feb 13)
- Amber Thiessen
- 3 minutes ago
- 4 min read
“And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).
God’s loudest moments are often followed by quiet ones.
In a small African village, three new believers are baptized in a concrete water well. Celebration gives way to opposition—family pressure, community rejection, fractures within a fledgling church.
A baby and her mother are prayed over. A life is preserved after an attempted abortion. The mother acknowledges answered prayer in the name of Jesus. And yet surrender remains partial—amulets kept, spirit worship not fully released.
My seven-month-old lies in the ICU. We’re told they’ve done all they can. Prepared for the worst. And yet, in His grace, God heals her. Prayers are answered. But healing opens further chaos—a bone marrow transplant, three months in hospital. We return home to something like normal, only to find depression waiting.
I didn’t expect the valley to come after obedience.
- - - - - - - - - -
Surrounded by the King Ahab, the people of Israel, and the prophets of Baal, a contest is proposed.
Who will answer?
Undoubtedly, God answers Elijah’s prayer—sending fire from heaven upon the altar. The people fall in worship before the one true God. Elijah persists in prayer once more, and again God answers, sending the long-awaited rain.
They must’ve felt wonder and relief. After 3 years of drought and the nearness of death, the rain returns like a fountain of life.
Yet instead of true repentance from the king or the people, Elijah’s hopes are met with another threat on his life. And rather than seeking the Lord, he flees.
About a six-day journey, and then further still into the wilderness—alone. Physically exhausted, emotionally ravaged, spiritually drained, Elijah finds a cave and gives way to despair.
We know this place.
Reeling from disappointment, discouragement, and at times hopelessness. Losing perspective and vision, we turn inward and sink into ourselves. The despair that comes not from failure, but from exhaustion.
And yet, God is merciful.
Elijah’s pleas for death are met first with provision for his physical needs. His spiritual need is met with God’s powerful presence, and His voice—whispered in the silence.
This points us to one of God’s names, Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Expressed in Genesis 22 when Abraham takes Isaac up the mountain. Where is the sacrifice? The young man asks. Dad responds in faith, God will provide.
Both Abraham and Elijah follow in obedience, trusting God’s Word. Though perhaps uncertain about what happens next, yet God faithfully provides.
We too follow the Lord, seeking after Him and the things of the kingdom. And sometimes obedience doesn’t lead to the spiritual high we expect, but to weariness and doubt. We find ourselves discouraged, disoriented, wondering whether our faithful work still matters when outcomes disappoint.
God provides in our weakest moments. And our calling is not dependent on visible success. It rests on who God is—and on our continued reliance on Him, even when the whisper is all we hear.
And so we learn, when weariness weighs heavy, to lean into the whisper—the reassurance of His steadfast love and presence with us.
On the Blog
In Articles
A critical spirit creeps in unawares, most significantly seen when you encounter someone who is positive and encouraging. We talked about it at bible study, about honouring one another, and realizing that it takes effort to be intentional and affirming toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. Found this article convicting and yet another reminder to pay attention to others and to how I speak.
Here's a humbling reminder to prioritize extending friendship and fellowship with our single friends (instead of trying to find them a man).
I live on the Canadian prairies and my tolerance for cold weather and icy sidewalks is pretty low, so this workout really seems simple but hey, if you need someone to motivate your through walking a mile in your house, here's your opportunity!
We know what it's like to on the receiving end of thoughtless words. Often we brace ourselves on the offensive, blaming and volleying harsh retorts in return. But Christ is our defender, He knows exactly what that's like and He comforts us. We still need to act in wisdom, knowing God's Word and discerning our relationships, and as much as it stings to receive them, we also know we've been the wrongful giver of mispoken, unkind words too. May we also extend grace as He's given us grace.
"God’s Word says we are either people who set our minds on the flesh or the Spirit. One orientation leads to death, and the other leads to life and peace. "
At the Grammys
And I'm just gonna say, if you haven't watched Jelly Roll's acceptance speech at the Grammy's...I'll include it for you here. He won a grammy for his album, Beautifully Broken. Brought me to tears. Glory to God.
