Engage

Static.

 


Barely perceptible radio stations on a long road trip.

Midnight channel flipping on the television.

Spotty mobile phone coverage.

All of these illustrations involve a real (or perceived) lack of communication. And typically, these moments are full of frustration:

 


Barely perceptible radio stations on a long road trip.

Midnight channel flipping on the television.

Spotty mobile phone coverage.

All of these illustrations involve a real (or perceived) lack of communication. And typically, these moments are full of frustration:

“I want to hear the last line of my favorite song from 1985!”

“I can’t go to sleep and there’s absolutely nothing on television!”

“We were just at the best part of our conversation and the phone cut out!”

What a funny sense of satisfaction we feel when those experiences are resolved: the conversation finished, sleep found, or song finally heard. This same sense of “static” often exists for the Christian.

Headlines tell of local, national, and world events.

Personal and family decisions and worries consume our thoughts.

Yet, Scripture teaches us stories of God plan for His kingdom and people.

It can be difficult to reconcile the static of what we believe with the day-to-day of what we see and hear from the news, our neighbors, and others.

In my spiritual life the “spiritual static” is often self-imposed. For too many years I have been inconsistent in reading the Bible. (Inconsistent might even give too much credit to the [lack of] this discipline in my life.) This wasn’t out of defiance or a lack of belief – if I was a schoolteacher I would simply call it an “unexcused absence” – yet the impact is no less dangerous.

I’m excited to be in a place again where I want to read God’s Word. This didn’t come about as an act of willpower but through the encouragement and accountability of another Christian. It is still a daily decision to keep this discipline yet I see it again as an invaluable communication tool – something I have relearned to value in practice and not just word. I want to hear a voice behind me saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

I want to minimize the spiritual static.

May there be moments today when the communication is clear and we experience a deep satisfaction as God reveals Himself through His Word and His people.

May we also be like the prophet Jeremiah who could appeal to God for remembrance and care, saying:

“When Your words came, I ate them;

they were my joy and my hearts delight,

for I bear Your name,

O Lord God Almighty.”

~ Jeremiah 15:16