A few days ago whilst focusing on the latest soccer news I was browsing from my phone, I kind of got lost in my own little world. From the television, there was music playing, at a level from the other room I was in I could easily hear every word at first, but as the articles became more intriguing, and as the language and literary style became more gripping to me, I eventually came to a point where I could not hear any word at all but all that registered was the article after article that I was reading and instantly, I can say the revelation hit me: the voice of God is not heard or seen not because He does not speak, but rather often our attention is something else.
Scripture talks of the very stars and the glory of creation as being a testimony that God is, that He is real and that He is alive, but today if you watch mainstream media, it is evident that many have chosen to embrace the idea that there is no God, or that He does not care. Many more live lives where in a way somehow there is an acknowledgement that He is there but not as someone who is interested in how we do life, but where the unspoken idea about God is more or less like earth and all it contains is not his favourite toy and there is a lot more He would rather be doing. Others with all the evidence, seeing or hearing even testimonies of the miracles that go on today in many ministries actively seek reasons to either discredit or discount it as either being fake and the people who testify are paid, or as being the work of the devil. You probably have seen what I mean with what I say, and maybe unlike me you always had a lot of peace and maturity with it, not being agonised and frustrated when all that happens in someone’s life points to God but they seem not to be looking. If so, good for you and continue in that vein for you do well.
For me, this revelation is in equal measure mind blowing and peace giving. To realise and have this not as head knowledge but as something that is in my heart that God always speaks, He reaches out and He loves and that others miss Him because they are distracted by their cares, or that they actively seek to pursue an existence where He is irrelevant and they can do what they want. At the same time, I realise that as believers if we are to have a prosperous relationship with the Holy Spirit, then we have the choice to listen and to create room for Him in our lives; and it is this knowledge that I find refreshing and calming for I know my destiny is in my hands. The Lord is more than willing and ready to come, the life of the Lord Jesus is evidence more than enough of this; and all I have to do is give Him room, to turn my ear to His word and I will see and hear Him.
I still think it a shame when I realise others may still choose to miss out by paying attention to the wrong thing, or by being distracted. And I think it prudent to continue to seek wisdom to reach out with the Gospel more effectively because it remains the will of God that none should perish but that all repent and come to the light and life of Christ. However, I am at peace with my responsibility knowing my responsibility is not to produce a reaction or a response in someone, but to simply be sharing and ready to share the word always, whether or not the world listens.
Selah.