Can you hear me now?

When I was in the Navy, I worked in satellite communications. It was in the days before satellite cell phones, wireless laptops or even the internet. It was a very exciting field to be in, and it ushered in the many luxuries (some might say 'necessities') that we enjoy today.
   But I was taught a very valuable lesson through my training in the fantastic job of literally speaking to the sky - there is a difference between a transmission and communication.

   Any and all communication must be two-sided. The transmitter (the originator of the message) sends out and hopes that the receiver (the intended target of the message) gets it. One can transmit all day, but if the receiver never gets the message, no communication has taken place. Likewise, if the receiver is on all day and no transmissions are sent, then no communication is possible. But how does the transmitter know his message has been received? He has to get confirmation from the listening outpost that the message was received and understood.
   Enter a great device called a “transceiver”. This device is unique in that it can both send and receive signals. It is capable of sending out a broadcast, and getting the confirmation message in return. In the same device, along the same signal, a message is sent and received. This device is not new. In fact, God holds the patent on the first transceiver; the human heart. With our heart, we can send out a prayer to God, and receive His answer. We know He is always listening when we broadcast our wishlist, but are we listening to Him when He speaks back to us?
   When I first became a preacher, I had a wonderful aunt who would call me regularly and ask me if I had been spending time in the Bible and in prayer. If I answered that I had been her immediate response was, “What is God speaking to you today?” She fully expected (and rightly so) that if I was truly spending time communicating to God, that I should be hearing His reply! Every time we kneel in prayer, folding our hands ever-so-piously, we need to set aside the needs for a moment and just listen with our heart. Is God calling your name? Is He speaking to you through His Word, or through His Spirit?
   Rarely does God speak through a burning bush, or a raging storm. In fact, most of the time we hear Him in the stillness of the midnight hour…the quietness of a heart finally at peace in His presence, or in that early morning time of coffee and devotions. Sometimes, He waits and calls to us in the form of a close friend, a pastor’s message, or a song on the radio. But are we listening? God is not being silent, but sometimes our world is cranked up to eleven and we can’t hear that still, small voice gently calling out.
   Samuel, as a young child experienced that still, small voice calling him. Elijah, as an old man hiding in a cave, heard it after the storm and the fire died down. Peter heard it on a quiet morning by the Sea of Galilee as Jesus called him to feed His sheep. Paul heard it in a blinding light on the road to Damascus (but he was stubborn and God had to knock him down first). In each case, they turned the volume of the world down so they could hear God’s voice.
   What is your world volume set at? Have you been praying and wondering why God isn’t answering? Have you truly been listening? In our church’s Tuesday night prayer time, I’ve made a conscious effort to sit and listen to what God is saying. Sometimes I hear it in the prayers of those around me, sometimes His Spirit speaks to my heart as I find a quiet place alone with God. Sometimes He puts a song in my heart that holds the answer. However He chooses to speak to me, I want to be listening. Take time right now to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10a). Make up your mind that you will listen to hear God’s voice. Can you hear Him now?
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A Roswell, New Mexico native, Wendon Pettey has been actively involved in ministry for more than 20 years in music and pastoring. He now does both, serving as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Music at Greenfield Family Worship Center Church of God in Greenfield, Ind. His debut album, 'Written in Red,’ was released in 2008. Wendon is also the founder of 'New Beginnings Ministries.' and is a contributing writer to ‘The Benefit Package,’ a 30 day devotional set for release by CrossRiver later this Fall. Wendon and his wife, Gidget have two sons, Oliver and Noah. The family lives with their two dachshunds in Greenfield. You can find Wendon online at Swine With Pearls.