The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the 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 came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

While driving to work some time ago I was listening to a song from René Gonzalez, “Mi Vida” or “My Life” in English. René is a friend that I love and admire, and he is an internationally renowned and gifted singer and pastor from Puerto Rico. While I was listening to this song, a couple of lines caught my attention and made me remember my accident.

“Mi vida, vio la vida que refleja tu mirada,

yo pensé que era el final de mi jornada,

pero Tú llegaste para rescatar, mi vida”

This is not necessarily a good translation for the verses of the song, and may note reflect the correct cadence, but are here to relay the meaning I gleaned while listening:

“My life, saw the life reflected in your gaze

I thought that this was the end of my days

But You came to rescue, my life.”

While the song is referring to the redemptive power of Jesus from our sins, I could not but think of my experience with lightning. It’s been some time since I wrote about my accident in the post I’m still standing. During this time I have thought a lot about it, especially when there are thunderstorms. But when I listened to the words of this song, I immediately went back to that day. My heart was full of gratefulness as I remembered that it could have been an entirely different story. It was a moment of complete rendition, and my heart was submerged in worship.

During these months I have asked many questions and looked for meaning. Why me? What for? and more times that I can remember, I have also asked God to speak to me. But then something came to my attention like never before. While reading Psalm 29, verse 7 came alive: “The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.” Could it be possible? Can this be true? That I had been spoken to and didn’t realize it? I know that my lightning strike experience is one in a million, but still my questions remain. I then remembered when Elijah was in the cave and there was an earthquake, fire and a rushing wind. The spectacular is what we oftentimes relate to God, we want the extraordinary to be showcase in our lives, the impactful is what stirs us and moves us. But when Elijah heard a whisper, that is where God was, in the ordinary. He whispered because he was close.

It is humbling to know that the Creator of the universe chose to speak to me the way he did. And I’ll admit that I might never fully comprehend it all. But one thing became especially clear to me; He speaks in more ways than what we credit him for. Could it be that you and I have been so distracted that The Lord of Lords has been trying to make us see the life that reflects from his gaze upon us, and you and I are missing it? Has he been whispering to you and are waiting for lightning, an earthquake, fire, or a rushing wind? Have you made the struggle of this world the lord of your life?

He is whispering. Are you listening?

Here is the video of this song by René Gonzalez

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2018
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. 2005. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.