In early 2019, I posted my first “real” devotional on my blog, Ellen’s Musings. The feedback I received on that from my viewers was very uplifting, and my mom encouraged me to write an entire book of devotionals for girls my age. “Think about it, Ellie—a devotional book for teens written by a teen,” she said. “It would be a bestseller.”
I nodded and resolved to try, but my heart wasn’t into the project, so I easily gave it up after my first attempt fell flat. I reasoned that I didn’t have the words or the know-how it would take to write a devotional book. Posting occasionally on my blog would suffice for now.
About a month later, however, I was thrown into a harder season of my life that left me drained, frustrated, and hurting. I parted ways with a friend, which would’ve been okay if it ended there, but the stress and heartache from that relationship with her continued. I was at the point where I felt like I’d had more than enough, and I just wanted to escape.
At that time, God laid it on me to take a forty-day Internet hiatus. It was certainly a difficult thing to do—especially for the first couple weeks away—but He granted me the grace to stick with it till the end. And it was during my break that He drew me closer to Himself and moved me to pouring my heart and soul into penning a thirty-day devotional book for teen girls/young women.
The title for my book got switched around a few times, but there was a reason, even though I didn’t know it then, that I finally went with The Whispers God Gives. It was published the following year on the anniversary of my return to the Internet, April 21, and I’ve loved seeing how God has used it in my life and others’—even allowing me opportunities to be a witness for Him through it.
Pastor Noll preached this past week on our “Rock of Ages.” He pointed out that Elijah sought shelter from his troubles in a cave. (1 Kings 19:9) It was there, in the midst of his inner turmoil, that he called upon the Lord, and God answered him in a whisper. When Elijah heard that whisper, he got up to check it out. (1 Kings 19:13)
Similarly, God calls us to take refuge in Him during the hectic (or even calm) times. He wants us to get away from the world and asks us to hide ourselves in Him. And He invites us to listen for His gentle whispers in the rush of life.
Every day while I was working on my devotional, I prayed for His wisdom and guidance, and He granted it to me. Some of the devotionals in my book are based off things I never would have otherwise seen as “whispers” from Him. I had to be on the lookout for them.
Soggy pretzels clutched tight in a one-year-old’s tiny fist served as a lesson on letting go. A rolling chair in the way of a toddler was an example of an obstacle in the path of serving God. A baby sister fussing in her highchair was a reflection on my own situation in life, and how I was responding to it . . . and so on.
What whisper is He giving you today? It can be huge (and feel more like a shout) or small (almost like a breath). It could be a lesson, a conviction, a direct answer to prayer, or an encouragement. Whatever the case, this is the Lord of the universe speaking specifically to you. Listen carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask, “What are you showing me by this?”
1 Kings 19:1-18 wasn’t anywhere on my radar when I first picked the title The Whispers God Gives for my book, but now it sounds absolutely perfect. Better still, God knew it the whole time. I consider that a precious whisper from Him.
Another thing God taught me (or whispered to me) while I was writing my book is that I can’t rely on my own strength. Before Elijah could make the trek to the cave, an angel of the Lord came and touched him and said, “‘Eat, for the journey is too much for you.’” (1 Kings 19:7) What’s more, God had to provide that food. (1 Kings 19:6)
We need Spiritual food and drink if we hope to follow after God and hear Him when He’s whispering. When the angel of the Lord first presented food to Elijah, he ate and drank and then laid down again. The angel had to come a second time and say, “Get up and eat!” When Elijah obeyed, the food strengthened him and lasted him forty days. God is ready and willing to give us our fill of Spiritual food (His word and truth) for the journey; all we have to do is come to Him and ask. He has promised that we won’t ever seek Him in vain. (Isaiah 45:19, Jeremiah 29:13)