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 call starts breaking up. Poor reception - static and interference - making it hard to hear. Your friend’s voice begins fading in and out and you’re only hearing every other word - then nothing. The line goes dead. Dropped call. Pretty frustrating, isn’t it? Of course, one telephone provider assures you that won’t happen with their service. Remember Verizon’s commercial, the guy with glasses asking, “Can you hear me now?”
How many times have you been in an area where your phone shows no connection bars? There’s no reception because there are no cell phone towers nearby.
Sometimes, hearing from God can feel like He’s breaking up, or worse, there’s no reception. We often think, “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 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. What kinds of things cause our reception to be spotty or make it seem like His voice is breaking up when we need to hear 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 gently nudge 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, NKJV).
Stress – A tension-filled life can result in 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 both the natural and the spiritual realms. Psalms records David’s heart cry when his strength was gone. His lament echoes our own:
My soul melts from heaviness, Strengthen me according to Your word (Psalm 119:28, NKJV).
What can we do to improve reception, to minimize static and interference? It can be as simple as two words: Slow Down! Years ago, Coca Cola’s slogan encouraged us to relax, have a Coke, and take “the pause that refreshes.” How about setting aside some time this week for the “pause that refreshes”? Disengage from the busyness, stress, and weariness; plug into the stillness, peace, and strength found in God. I think you’ll find your connection is crystal clear.