A story is told of Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945), who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work! We are proud of you! God bless you, sir!” It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.”
I have told that story many times. I find it to be a humorous story that makes a profound point. This is the point: there is nothing simple about listening. God must be very frustrated that many don’t listen to Him. It is the main point in our scripture reading.
We find ourselves in the sixteenth chapter of Acts, verses six through ten. In the previous chapter, Paul and Barnabas had separated. The conflict circled around John, also called Mark. He had dropped out of the first missionary journey, so Paul found him to be undependable. When the two separated, Barnabas teamed up with John. Paul teamed up with Silas. Paul needed more help, so he enlisted Timothy. We looked at his story in my previous blog.
To completely understand the reading, you must understand the geography of that corner of the world. Our understanding is limited. It will have to suffice to say, Paul, Silas, and Timothy were frustrated. They tried to enter several areas but were unsuccessful. Then, everything changed. When they arrived in the seaport of Troas, God communicated with Paul through a vision. What is a vision? It is the experience of seeing something or someone while in a trance. Paul saw a man starving in Macedonia. Some believe that starving man was Luke himself, the author of Acts. Regardless, Paul got the message. In the morning, the text says Paul got up and traveled to Macedonia. At the very heart of this simple story is the complex word, communication. Paul’s ministry went nowhere until God communicated with him. It is still true today. No ministry will succeed until God communicates His will with us. Communicating with God is vital in ministry if you want to succeed.
Did you know the Bible contains nine different ways that God communicates with us? This is the list. God communicates with us:
- Through the scriptures
- Through the Holy Spirit
- Through fellow believers
- Through the audible voice of God
- Through dreams
- Through angels
- Through circumstances
- Through hardship
- Through visions
The question is not, is God is communicating with us? The question is, are we listening? Perhaps, this is a better question. What is preventing us from hearing God? What is preventing you from hearing God? God is constantly trying to communicate with us, but His words are falling on deaf ears. The problem is not our ears. According to the United States census, only 22% of Americans are deaf. Half of the deaf are over the age of 65 years. The solution to our problem does not include an audiologist. The problem is not that we are bad people. I’ve worked with many good people through the years. There is a bigger issue. In my opinion, the major reason we have a hard time hearing God is that we are too preoccupied to listen. Our lives are so crowded that we have no time left for God. He simply isn’t a priority. It is the price we pay for living in our society. Let me ask you this series of questions:
Are you preoccupied with your reservations? In other words, are you preoccupied with your problems? There is no shortage of problems or worries in our society. Research tells us we are worried about all kinds of things. We are worried about growing older and our health. We are worried about our finances and our job security. We are worried about our wrinkles and our physique. We are worried about not looking attractive. (I worry I am too attractive J ) Are you worried about your pet’s health or age? Are you worried about the future of your neighborhood? What do you worry about in the middle of the night? American author and motivational speaker Leo Buscaglia (1924-1998) once said, “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” How much time do you spend worrying?
How much time do you spend thinking about God? You have heard it a million times, faith ends where worries begin. Emotionally, our worries pull us in different directions, but they always pull us away from God. Our worries pull us so far from God it is impossible to hear God. Our worries have crowded Him out. Could that be your story? Are you preoccupied with your reservations? Are you listening to God? That leads me to my next question.
Are you preoccupied with responsibility? Our lives are full of responsibilities. Several years ago, it was reported that the best part of going on vacation was planning the trip. I believe that is true. The trip itself is a great deal of work, but the planning of the trip is very little work. When you plan your trip, you dream of carefree days without any responsibility. Can I be honest with you?
In the final years in the ministry, I grew tired of being responsible. I felt responsible for everything. Every time someone complained, I took it personally. When someone complained about the size of the Sunday school, it was my fault. When someone complained about the youth not attending worship, it was my fault. When a staff member caused a problem, it was my fault. When the temperature wasn’t perfect, it was my fault. When there was a mistake in the bulletin, it was my fault. When church members fought, it was my fault. When the door didn’t get locked, it was my fault. When a light wasn’t turned off, it was my fault. When a bad meal came out of the kitchen, it was my fault. When there wasn’t enough money, it was my fault. When people left the church, it was my fault. When someone got their feelings hurt, it was my fault. I was in the ministry for forty years and did my best. I experienced success, but, in the end, I felt like it was always my fault. In my last year, I was overwhelmed with responsibility. I was majoring in the minors. I was so consumed by responsibility, there was no time left for God. I didn’t retire to get away from preaching, pastoral care, weddings, funerals, or baptisms. I retired to get away from responsibility.
Have you become preoccupied with responsibility? I am not just talking about church, I am talking about your life, your job, your home, your children, your parents. Would it be nice to have some “me time”? If there is no time left for you, then there is even less time left for God. No wonder God has a hard time communicating with us. Are you preoccupied with your responsibilities? Are you listening to God? That leads us to the next question.
Are you preoccupied with your recreation? There is nothing wrong with recreation. With all our responsibilities, we need some recreation. I love this time of year in Ohio. The leaves are changing, the weather is cool, and sports are taking over my television. As I write this blog, the post season is on in Major League Baseball. I have watched several games. I will watch more as the World Series draws near. I love football. I follow local high school teams on Friday night. I watch college football throughout the week, but it dominates my Saturdays. Professional football is on from Thursday through Monday. It dominates my Sunday. Now they are airing preseason professional basketball and hockey. It is a great time of year!
Years ago, I was in Florida during the fall. On Sunday morning, I decided to go to church. I will be honest with you. I picked the closest church. I don’t remember what tribe it belonged to. I do remember the service because it was great. The music was fine, and the prayers were sincere. The message was well thought out and powerfully delivered. The whole service fed my soul, and I didn’t want it to end. When the benediction was given, I just stood there trying to absorb the last ounces of the Holy Spirit. When I opened my eyes to leave, a man walked up to me and said, “Do you think the Dolphins will win today?” He missed the whole thing because he was preoccupied with recreation. There is nothing wrong with recreation, until it starts pushing God out. How much time do you spend on your recreation? How much time do you spend trying to listen to God? Are you listening to God?
On June 7, 2014, comedian Tracy Morgan (born 1968) was involved in a six-car traffic accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. One person died, Morgan’s friend and collaborator James McNair (1951-2014). Morgan was lucky, he lived, but he found himself in a coma. He said, ““You don’t die for a few weeks and then come back to normal, trust me. Something’s going to be missing, something’s going to be gained—you just got to live your life after that. But after surviving something like that, I’m probably never going to feel normal. I went to the other side.” Morgan said while he was in that coma God spoke to him. What did God say to Tracy Morgan? Morgan said that God said, “Your room ain’t ready. I still have something for you to do.” Do you believe that God spoke to Tracy Morgan? Do you believe that God is trying to communicate with us? The question is not, is God communicating with us. The question is, are you listening?
Russ Adams 