On Monday my youngest son was a participant in his school’s annual spelling bee. In about the fourth round he was given the word “celery.” His answer: C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E. As I spelled it out in my head, I chuckled, realizing that Joshua has simply heard the word wrong. The teacher who was calling out the words did not even catch it. She simply said, “incorrect,” and she moved on to the next speller. In looking at my son’s face, I don’t think he caught it either.
“Celery, C E L E B R A T E” has been the joke around our house all week. Joshua laughs at it and so do we, but as I’ve reflected upon that situation, I’ve come to see this as a way in which God’s reminded me to slow down and check my hearing.
It seems like the last couple of weeks news stories on the TV and radio have raised attention to the multiple distractions that we have to deal with in our modern society. I’ve seen stories about the affects of technology on our children and families. I’ve heard stories of how social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have adversely affected the productivity of workers, so much so that there is actually an app for
Mac’s which will block such sites unless the computer is rebooted to allow such browsing.
As our society and technology increases in speed, and as multi-tasking takes over more and more of our days, there is evidence that the depths of our relationships become more and more shallow. That the ability to focus becomes less effective, and that we are less apt to live purposefully but are more likely to follow our bliss or the next thing that comes along. Coming from a family who shares a characteristic tendency to be easily distracted, I understand full-well how easily this happens.
Such distractions take their toll on relationship in the workplace, in church, and even in our families, but one of the most prominent relationships in which this takes place is in our interactions with God. It is so easy for us to allow time and tasks to so overtake our lives, that unless we are deliberate in our devotion to God, unless we are intentional is nurturing that relationship, we will easily not hear God speaking.
If we were to examine the scriptures we would see that indeed God does speak, but in order for God’s creatures to hear, there has to be intentionality. God spoke to Abraham and called him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham listened and followed, but had he not continued to listen for God’s direction, Abraham’s son whom he loved, would have been killed. God provided a way, and God’s servant heard.
In the example of Moses, we see an old man out tending his sheep, when along the path he came across a burning bush which was not consumed. It was a curious sight, so Moses went to investigate. When he did, God spoke. Despite his resistance, Moses heard, responded, and the People of God were saved.
I could go on and on with examples from the Older and Newer Testaments, but as is often the case, the Psalmist captures well this call to check our hearing and listen for God in Psalm 46. The psalmist speaks to all who are in trouble, all who are in need, all who need assurance that God is with them, and at the end simply says, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is in the stillness, the deliberate stopping and seeking out God, that we know God...and hear God’s voice.
Though it may sound cliche and takes a bit of work, it is important to take time away from the day to day noise to reconnect with God. It is important for spiritual health, because if we never take time away, we never nurture our spirit. It is important for our relationship with God, which is vital because that relationship affects all others. It is important, because when we do, we check our hearing, and when we check our hearing, we hear the truth...that we are God’s children and that God is with us, no matter what.
Different people hear God in different ways. How do you reconnect with God? When was the last time you heard a Word from the Master? Why not take some time now to simply listen? Check your hearing.
“Celery, C E L E B R A T E” has been the joke around our house all week. Joshua laughs at it and so do we, but as I’ve reflected upon that situation, I’ve come to see this as a way in which God’s reminded me to slow down and check my hearing.
It seems like the last couple of weeks news stories on the TV and radio have raised attention to the multiple distractions that we have to deal with in our modern society. I’ve seen stories about the affects of technology on our children and families. I’ve heard stories of how social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have adversely affected the productivity of workers, so much so that there is actually an app for
Mac’s which will block such sites unless the computer is rebooted to allow such browsing.As our society and technology increases in speed, and as multi-tasking takes over more and more of our days, there is evidence that the depths of our relationships become more and more shallow. That the ability to focus becomes less effective, and that we are less apt to live purposefully but are more likely to follow our bliss or the next thing that comes along. Coming from a family who shares a characteristic tendency to be easily distracted, I understand full-well how easily this happens.
Such distractions take their toll on relationship in the workplace, in church, and even in our families, but one of the most prominent relationships in which this takes place is in our interactions with God. It is so easy for us to allow time and tasks to so overtake our lives, that unless we are deliberate in our devotion to God, unless we are intentional is nurturing that relationship, we will easily not hear God speaking.
If we were to examine the scriptures we would see that indeed God does speak, but in order for God’s creatures to hear, there has to be intentionality. God spoke to Abraham and called him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham listened and followed, but had he not continued to listen for God’s direction, Abraham’s son whom he loved, would have been killed. God provided a way, and God’s servant heard.
In the example of Moses, we see an old man out tending his sheep, when along the path he came across a burning bush which was not consumed. It was a curious sight, so Moses went to investigate. When he did, God spoke. Despite his resistance, Moses heard, responded, and the People of God were saved.
I could go on and on with examples from the Older and Newer Testaments, but as is often the case, the Psalmist captures well this call to check our hearing and listen for God in Psalm 46. The psalmist speaks to all who are in trouble, all who are in need, all who need assurance that God is with them, and at the end simply says, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is in the stillness, the deliberate stopping and seeking out God, that we know God...and hear God’s voice.
Though it may sound cliche and takes a bit of work, it is important to take time away from the day to day noise to reconnect with God. It is important for spiritual health, because if we never take time away, we never nurture our spirit. It is important for our relationship with God, which is vital because that relationship affects all others. It is important, because when we do, we check our hearing, and when we check our hearing, we hear the truth...that we are God’s children and that God is with us, no matter what.
Different people hear God in different ways. How do you reconnect with God? When was the last time you heard a Word from the Master? Why not take some time now to simply listen? Check your hearing.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment