It’s funny to think that there was a time when navigation wasn’t as easy as pulling up an app on your phone. People have used everything from maps to the stars to get them to their destinations, but nothing has ever been easier than typing an address into your GPS to get step-by-step instructions. This journey you’re on may not necessarily come with that kind of guidance, but it does come with something better.

1 Kings 19 tells the story of Elijah in a time when he desperately needed to hear from God. While waiting, a strong wind tore through the mountain where Elijah was hiding, but the Bible says God was not in the wind. Not long after, a powerful earthquake shook the ground, but again God was not in the earthquake. After that came a fire, but once again, God was not in the fire. After all of that, God spoke to Elijah, but not in the way one might expect. He spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12). It would have been easy for Elijah to assume that God was going to speak to him through the big and loud, but Elijah was able to discern God’s voice, even among all the distractions, to receive guidance for his journey.

Have you ever accidentally muted your GPS app, missing several turns before realizing you’re off course? You’re journey with God can be really similar. When you pay more attention to the distractions around you than you do to His voice, navigating can be difficult, if not impossible. In John 10, Jesus talked about sheep knowing the voice of their shepherd. The sheep will hear his voice and follow him wherever he goes. On the contrary, when a stranger tries to lead them, they will run away because they do not recognize that voice.

God speaks to our spirits. He may not speak to us with audible, step-by-step instructions, but He speaks to us through our thoughts and impressions. In order to hear this, you must first seek after His voice, which requires cutting out the distractions and focusing on Him. David wrote, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 NIV). God has nothing but good things for you, and He’s ready to give them to you. You just have to position yourself so that you can hear His gentle whisper.