Do you ever wonder what you did before the internet, cell phones, and social media? We must have been terribly bored! My daughter-in-love and I were talking about this today, and the struggles we have in pushing the voices away.
We were talking about an author we both liked, and she said that she and her husband have a DAILY live Facebook and YouTube post. Who can listen to someone every day of the week? I mean, isn’t that a bit much?
I pulled up my Castbox that holds all the podcasts I subscribe to (I blame my eldest son for this) and showed her how many are showing episodes I have yet to hear. She confessed the same, and said she’s ended up deleting some of her subscriptions.
IT’S JUST TOO MUCH! I can’t keep up with all your Facebook news and Instagram pictures (as cute as they are). Nor can I click on every breaking news notice I receive. Something’s got to give.
As I lay down for my Sunday nap, my mind is still reflecting on this conversation. After all, I’m purposefully seeking that spacious place with the Lord and working to hear his voice for this stage of my life. That’s when the verse comes to mind:
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.*
That’s it — the cause of much of my struggle. My heart’s been divided by the noise of this world. Even when it’s “good” noise, if there’s too much of it, I can’t hear His voice speaking to me.
The prophet Ezekiel has a good word from the Lord on this, as he tells the Israelites, he’ll bring them back from the lands from where they’ve been scattered. Once returned, they must get rid of all the “vile images and detestable idols.” Then and only then will he,
give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; [he] will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.*
I love how when you’re paying attention, God speaks. He speaks a lot, actually, but we’re seldom listening. The first sermon I heard on my “sabbatical” was about our need to get rid of the idols in our life. I heard it, but didn’t see its significance until today.
It’s been funny, as I’ve visited different churches these past few weeks to see how it’s taken time for the speed of the preaching to slow enough for me to take it in. I felt like Goldilocks and the Three Bears tasting their porridge to find the one “just right” for my ears. Maybe it’s not their speed, but the time it’s taken me to push everything else out to listen with an undivided heart. After all, I’m still coming down from the doing mountain to the being valley.
So, here I sit, not really having to ask the Lord now what I need to get rid of in my life in order to keep my heart undivided — I think he’s made it clear.
How’s your heart doing? Feeling cold and heavy or warm and receptive to his way, his teaching? Maybe it’s time to turn off the noise and listen. I’m going to try!
Grace and Peace
*Psalm 86:11
*Ezekiel 11:17-19
G’day and thanks for sharing!
A message that all believers really need to hear. Culture and the world is not slowing down and we can easily be swept along with it.
I am in the middle of listening to a great podcast called “If your not shaping your relationship with technology, it will shape you. By Jeff and Alyssa Bethke. I highly recommend it.
I am currently working through what it means to slow down. I think its really important
I will check out that podcast, Mac. Sounds very interesting indeed! I’m glad you’re working on slowing down. We can encourage one another! Blessings!
I really hope you do, they are passionate about not allowing culture to dominate their family. Some real good stuff to say. I have started by turning off my phone 1 hour before sleep and not using it the first hour after I wake up.
That’s a good plan…need to do that as well. Blessings.