I’ve come to realize, the loudest barking dog gets the Scooby Snack. Or some might say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Whichever, the fact is, whatever is most noisy seems to demand and get our immediate attention. Certainly in ministry, that’s the case. There’s always a pressing need, something that seems most urgent. We divide ourselves among many great needs and causes, but ultimately, are we listening to that still small voice? Perceived need is the powerful wind, the earthquake, and the fire – as depicted in 1 Kings 19:11-13. But there’s a question asked at the end of 13, a questions that’s resonated in my mind and heart for a very long time now. Today, it’s as if the revelation of this is the most clear to me.

In verse 13, God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

God has posed this question to me, and in this context, reminds me of my call. My call is to write, and the call is only heard in the gentle whisper. Yet I stay busy and active in all the other needs surrounding me, the loud things, those things which always seem most critical. The one thing I’m called to do, which is to write, is the first thing I set aside when others “need” me. Through storytelling, I’m reaching the hearts of thousands for Jesus, but most often, I focus on the 50 close by. This is true revelation to me, something Jesus has been gently showing me over the course of the past few months, but today, in the vividness of the revelation, I’m charged with action. It’s time to listen to the gentle whisper and learn to tune out the other demanding voices.

Obviously, I can’t just walk away from all my commitments, but I can begin to slowly untangle myself from those things which are not my call, those ministries that I became involved in simply because I saw the need and jumped in, or maybe I was called there for a season but that season has ended.

My challenge to you – seek the gentle whisper. What are you here for? What is your call? No answered question will bring you as much fulfillment as this can. When you are actively pursuing your call, contentment comes. When you are dabbling in others’ calls, you’re stretched, miserable, and cranky. No one likes stretched, miserable, and cranky; we just tolerate you.