Monday, May 21, 2012

Meet God In The Silence

“My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” -- John 10:27

The other day a friend, along with her mother and aunt, decided to make a quick trip to a neighboring town. Another driver decided she could text on her cell phone and listen to music and drive all at the same time. The result almost brought devastation.

The young girl nearly sideswiped my friend’s car. The only reason she didn’t is that my friend is a very aware driver, saw the girl’s car coming into her lane, and left the road. The oblivious driver kept going.

My friend sped up and pulled along side the girl. Her head was bobbing to the music no doubt coming from the earbuds firmly planted in her ears. Her eyes were on the cell phone in front of her as her fingers worked the keys. Only fleetingly did she glance at the road.

This girl had no idea that her decision could easily have cost all four of them their lives. As it was, my friend’s mother and aunt were nervous wrecks. A year or so ago the two older women were driving to a doctor’s appointment when they were hit by a drunk driver. Both were badly hurt. This was yet another reminder of what can happen with no warning.

We all lead such distracted lives these days. When did we come to believe that we had to be available to everyone 24/7? When did we decide that music, or some other media source, had to be blaring in our ears all the time? What happened to solitude? What happened to silence?

I know that some of you have already brushed me aside as being “old” and “out of touch.” Perhaps a little of both. But mostly I am very, very aware that we can never truly hear God’s voice until we face Him in the silence.

Maybe that’s the point. Maybe we don’t want to hear what God has to say. Maybe we’re too focused on what we want, on what we need, on what we’ve decided to do, that we don’t think we need God. Until that moment when metal collides and suddenly God is all we want or need or desire.

But why do we have to wait until disaster strikes to seek His voice? Why must we behave like unrepentant children who have no need of a Savior? Because we all need Him. All it takes is one mistake, one disaster, one illness, to remind us of that fact.

So take a moment today to turn off the television, the iPod and the smart phone. Power off the laptop. Ask God to meet you wherever you are. Seek His wisdom in His Word and ask Him to speak to your heart. Then, as the silence wraps around you, wait patiently. Because God will always, always meet you wherever you are.