Radio Silence

A park ranger at Yellowstone National Park was leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the animal life and vegetation along the way that he thought the noise coming his two-way radio was distracting, so he switched it off. Nearing the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked him why he hadn’t responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear was stalking the group and authorities were trying to warn them of the danger.I’m sure you remember the story of the Titanic and how the radio operator on board a nearby ship cost the lives of thousands because he ignored the Titanic’s radio calls for help.Have you tuned out, or are you sensitive to the voice of God? If He were telling you something, would you know it? Many professing believers wouldn’t, I’m afraid.Jesus said, “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed” (Matthew 13:15).Have we become so accustomed to the Bible that it no longer moves us? Do sermons motivate you to make changes God wants in your life? Or are you moving on through life with the radio on your hip switched off, unaware that God is calling with an urgent message?I am reminded of what novelist Ayn Rand said in response to a Time Magazine reporter’s question, “Miss Rand, what’s wrong with the modern world?” Without hesitation, she replied, “To paraphrase the Bible,” she said, “the modern attitude is, ‘Father, forgive us, for we know not what we are doing – and please don’t tell us!”Maintaining a sensitive heart to the leading of God is probably the single most important ingredient to keeping the freshness of your Christian life. It is imperative that we continually “tune in” and pay attention to what God is telling us and how He is directing us.God is active and alive. Is He active and alive in you?