A Communication Crisis!

Have you noticed how many forms of communication you get from your doctor, dentist, mechanic, supermarket, etc.?  We receive emails, text messages, phone calls, and mailings to remind us of our upcoming appointments, to let us know it’s time to get our cars serviced, or to make us aware of the latest sale.  It seems that for all of our forms of communication, it has become harder and harder to figure out how to communicate. As a society, we are having what I might call, a communication crisis!

Kim and I have noticed it in our work at the church.  For all the effort that goes into putting out information via email, Facebook, text messages, etc., there are still lots of people who seem to not know what is going on.  If we send out an email notice, we need to also send out a text message to let people know that they have received an email—or, else they may never read the email (we are hoping that they will at least read their text message!).  When we make phone calls to people, most often we get voice mail messages that few people check; it seems that hardly anyone answers their phone these days. And, when we have to make an announcement regarding the cancelation of a service due to a snow storm or the like, we need to send out an email, send a text message, put out an automated phone message, post on Facebook, and put a message on the church voice mail—all because we never know how information will get to any particular person. Yet after all of that, someone will still say, “I didn’t know!”  Again, I think we have a communication crisis!

Well, although that might be the case for us as people, I am so glad that there is no communication crisis with heaven.  We don’t have to figure out how to communicate with God. We don’t need to wonder whether or not he is listening or will get our message. And, we don’t need to wonder whether or not he will answer. The communication lines to God are always open and sure. It is a form of communication that we call, “prayer.” 

Jesus said, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10 – NIV) The psalmist wrote, “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34:6 – NIV) The Apostle Peter wrote, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer….” (1 Peter 3:12)

It’s no wonder the Apostle Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing,” for prayer is the only sure means of communication. Prayer is the only form of communication that will always be received and always be answered.  So today, why not communicate with God and tell him what you need? He will hear you and he will answer. Again, there’s no communication crisis in heaven!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris