Just part of the routine

We have a break in the heat and humidity from the late summer weather here in southern MO.  That means this morning the AC is off and the fresh early morning air is coming in through the open windows.  Then I have also gone through my typical routine: dog out—check, oatmeal in the microwave—check, hot tea made—check.  You know, all the things you kinda do on auto pilot.

Another one for me is: open the computer to email, not to check my email, but just in case daughter #3 calls in from Sweden.  #1 lives in California (two time zones away) and #2 lives in New York (one time zone away), and naturally I love talking with them just as much too.  But the baby of the family had to move SEVEN (count ‘em, 7!) time zones away, so communication is a little more challenging if you want some face time.

It’s a bit ironic, because I’m not one to be constantly connected to my “devices”, (I was about to write “phone”, but that term is no longer sufficient, is it?)  My texting notifications are usually turned off, I’m rarely on Facebook, and I’m doing well to check email a few times a day…if I feel like it.

Funny, though, when there’s something (or someone) you really don’t want to miss, you get yourself “ready” to receive the incoming ring.  (Okay, so back in the old days, it used to be a ring; now you can download anything.  One of mine is the Star Trek theme…)

Which makes me think of communication prep with God Himself.  Here’s what Paul considered “normal” for the Christian experience:

“Never stop praying.”

And…

“Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

And…

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind.”

In other words, if I’m really intentional about communicating with God, I will keep the notification setting turned ON.  And the volume turned UP.  Because it’s not just about me talking to God (or at God, as it sometimes comes out), but more importantly, listening to what He’s trying to tell me. 

John Eldredge has an important work entitled Moving Mountains where he writes about this specific thing.  Dallas Willard has another, Hearing God.  Obviously, the God who can create the universe can be quite creative in getting through to me.  And He wants to, He’s designed His children to hear and recognize Him.

But it helps if I have the program up and running, and the volume turn on full. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2 Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.