**The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12
The date night we scheduled last month has finally arrived!! I woke up in the morning excited knowing I would get time away with Benny without distractions. I put effort into doing my hair and makeup. I picked the right outfit for the evening to feel comfortable, yet pretty. It would be a great evening of relaxing and spending time together.
Benny came home from work and got ready, then we headed out. We chatted all the way to Lubbock. The winds calmed and the sun started to fade. It was beautiful weather for our excursion. We arrived early, pulled up to the little booth, and paid the gentleman for our tickets. We had the entire parking lot to choose from and found the perfect parking spot. We could see the entire screen. We were ready.
The intro starts, but our radio is silent. We hear nothing. The car is on, check. The radio dial is turned up, check. The radio was tuned to the right frequency, check. We paid for access, but nothing is transmitting.
At that moment, it dawned on both of us. The radio had a short in the wires, but we hadn’t had time to fix it and we put it off until another day.
ALL FOR NAUGHT…nothing, zip, zilch, nada.
The preparations, the anticipation, and the excitement quickly evolved into disappointment, frustration, and regret. The evening became a reminder of time not spent on what really mattered, the heart of the evening, the radio. What could have been was not to be. The movie was ruined because we could not tune in and listen to the broadcast. We were so busy planning “all the things” on the surface, we neglected the shorted-out wires underneath.
Four to five a.m. every morning, my eyes pop open, and my mind races into 5th gear, my to-do list screeches in my head, and I hit the ground running. All the while my Bible lays open and waiting beside my chair. God doesn’t scream at me as my activities do. He waits patiently. I continue to add items to my schedule, and still, He waits. I rush around trying to “get it all done,” as my Bible sits silently on my little side table, and He waits. I might be killing my to-do list, but spiritually, I skip the best chance I have at sitting in His presence, listening to His gentle whisper. Instead of tuning into Him, my mind’s frequency is on the urgent, full schedule, and another rushed day roars in the background.
This scenario describes way too many days I’ve wasted that I should have spent with my Savior. Because He is a gentleman and waits, I push that time off and substitute it with the urgent, all the while thinking I am making true progress and that I’ll get to Him later. Yet when I don’t invite Him into my day, I just spin my wheels.
When standing next to a waterfall, nothing is heard above the roar of the water cascading over the edge of the riverbed. It cannot be turned down or tuned out. The thunderous sound is nice for a little while but can be damaging in the long term. Nothing can be heard above the roar.
When life gets too busy to meet Jesus, constant static plays in my heart. Ever heard a noise in the background that grates on your nerves, but it took you a little bit to realize what was so irritating? The only way to end that frustration is to tune in to a clear frequency. When life gets too busy, my to-do list, my schedule, and my responsibilities roar like a waterfall and I hear nothing else. When taken care of, they give me a quick shot of satisfaction, like dressing up for the date. These accomplishments fade quickly, and the pleasure never lasts.
Couples who have been together a long time hear their spouse speak, even if they are hard of hearing. Their minds have programmed their ears to tune in to each other’s speech. Babies in the womb know their mom’s and dad’s voices because they have been hearing them speak for months.
I desire to be so fine-tuned to my Savior’s voice, that I hear His whisper above the roar of business, worry, anxiety, and the bustle of other activities vying for my attention. When He speaks, it soothes my heart and eases my soul. He brings peace to the chaos and comfort in my hurting.
I felt like God gave me this scenario to get my attention. I can only imagine how devastating it would have been if this had been a real date. Benny and I get very little uninterrupted time alone together away, and we cherish it. God reminded me that time with Him, too is precious, and I should tune into His voice and guard it with all that is in me. Tuning into His voice should be the most important part of my day, no matter what else needs attending to.
**Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. Isaiah 28:23
**So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
LORD, give me ears to hear and a longing heart to slow down long enough to “tune in” to Your still small voice. Help me silence the to-do list, my schedule, and other distractions that want to steal that time I should be spending with You.
Ease my mind,
still my soul, and
quiet my heart,
so I can hear You speak.
I know I truly get more accomplished when I am aligned with Your will and take time to sit at Your feet, but sometimes I am frazzled and hurry right by You. That time never “costs” me or prevents anything from getting done. Give me the discipline to meet with You first and put everything else aside, instead of making You wait, LORD. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
**Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:6 MSG
**My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5
WHEN YOU SPEAK
ON THE PORCH 