CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

23 May CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Has this ever happened to you…you’re having a conversation with a friend on your cell phone when, suddenly, the other person starts “breaking up.” His voice starts going in and out, you’re only hearing every other word, if that. Then nothing. The line goes dead. “Dropped call.” Pretty frustrating isn’t it? Of course, Verizon assures you that won’t happen with their service. Remember their commercial with the guy with glasses asking, “Can you hear me now?”

And how many times have you been in an area where your phone shows no “connection” bars – no reception because there are no cell phone towers close by.

Sometimes, when you are wanting to hear from God, it can feel like He’s “breaking up,” or worse, there’s no “reception.” God, can you hear me now??  You know the feeling…you’re faced with a big decision and you desperately need God’s wisdom; you’re struggling with a relationship and need God to show you whether to keep moving forward, or let it go; you’re just feeling “disconnected” spiritually and want to hear God’s voice and sense His presence.

There will always be an ebb and flow of the Spirit as we navigate this life. He teaches us to move with Him when the flow is there and trust Him when it isn’t. But how about things that cause our reception to be spotty or make it seem like His voice is “breaking up” when we so need a clear sound?

It’s not always the big things like sin or disobedience, although those certainly do break the connection. I think more often than not it is the subtle things that can put us “out of range” and interfere with our reception. Things like:

• Busyness – In our frenetically-paced world, we can miss the gentle nudging of the Spirit on our way through the bustle of everyday life. The still, small voice whispers:
  • Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

• Stress – A tension-filled way of living for so many who are trying to juggle all the responsibilities of life. “Revelation diminishes in the presence of stress.” Into the pressure in our soul, He speaks:
  • You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, 

All whose thoughts are fixed on you. (Isaiah 26:3, NLT)

• Weariness – Battle fatigue is a very real thing in the natural and in the spiritual. How often we read David’s heart when he ran out of his own strength and turned to the Lord. His soul, and ours, cry out:

• My soul melts from heaviness, 

Strengthen me according to Your word. (Psalm 119:28)

What can we do to improve the reception, to minimize the static and interference? It can be as simple as two words:  Slow Down!  Years ago, a tea company had a commercial that encouraged us to relax, have a cup of tea, and take “the pause that refreshes.” How about setting aside some time this week for the “pause that refreshes…” to disengage from the busyness, stress, and weariness and plug into stillness, peace, and strength. I think you’ll find your connection is crystal clear.

By Diane M. Fink