Welcome, reader friend. Come on in and make yourself at home. We’ll sit six feet apart, of course. You haven’t had a fever in the last 48 hours, have you? (Wink, wink)
Would you like coffee or hot tea to sip as we visit? Help yourself.
Ready to chat? We’ll discuss a serious topic first—but only briefly—and then we’ll breathe a sigh of relief and part with hope, joy, and smiles. Ready?
Do you hear sounds of distraction from the world around us? I do.
Electronic signals can propel me into action—if I let them.
- Pings from my cell phone scream, “You might miss something if you don’t read this NOW.”
- Images on the laptop screen and television flash a message, “Pay attention to this. You’ll never be able to find it later.”
- And the one that spurs me into action the quickest—the end-of-cycle chime on the washer. It sings, “The clothes are finished. Hurry before they wrinkle.”
Pandemic and political racket can distress me—if I listen too long.
- Television news is always “breaking” and is usually negative.
- Social media sites are littered with threats, accusations, and hateful language.
- Radio program hosts warn of destruction and blame the other party.
My own thoughts can whisper anxiety-producing ideas—if I dwell on them.
- More violence could erupt.
- If I get COVID-19…
- How will new legislation affect us?
Heavenly “Sounds”
We can’t completely ignore electronic signals, news reports, or our own thoughts, but we can listen to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe who “is in the heavens” and “does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). How different His voice, His thoughts, and His ways are from the world’s or even our own.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
When Elijah hid in a cave fearing for His life, God spoke to him in a quiet whisper (I Kings 19:9-13). God can speak in any way He chooses. May we tune our heart’s ear to hear Him.
In God’s Word, we “hear” gentle sounds of peace and hopeful notes of truth. Encouraging choruses of love, redemption, and forgiveness resonate in our hearts.
At times He speaks with stern correction as a holy and righteous Father. He also guides our steps (Psalm 32:8) and gives us kingdom work to do (Ephesians 2:10). His intent for us is always for His glory and our good.
Lately some of us have said we can’t trust what we hear in the media. But, dear friend, we can trust every word in the Holy Bible, God’s inspired message to us.
Let’s tune in to His Word for the notes of righteousness He composes for our souls. Meditating on Bible passages and listening to worship music calm my heart and give my mind and my ears a rest from the cacophony that surrounds us.
Will you join me as I read the verses below and ask God to calm our hearts and focus our minds on His presence? Then we can be about His kingdom work and wake each morning saying,
This is the day which the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
More Verses to Ponder
“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” I Peter 5:6-7
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.” Luke 11:28
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not get upset because of one who is successful in his way, because of the person who carries out wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
This week let’s turn down the volume of anxiety-producing noise and listen to the voice of God. He will quieten the sounds of distraction and give us peace.
I hope you enjoyed our visit as much as I did, dear reader friend. Thanks for stopping by.
Now it’s your turn to share thoughts. Please enrich our visit with your ideas for listening to God’s voice. I truly hope you will.
No political statements, please.
Bible verses are from the NASB.