Can You Hear Me Now?
We do it all the time. We do it without even thinking about it. We do it at home, at work, or even in church. (Yeah, I see you.) All joking aside, our phones now control our lives. I have my day planner, notes, and some sermon ideas at the touch of a button, along with most of your numbers so as to know just who is texting me. Our phones are boarding tickets for planes, ticket stubs for sports events, and flashlights. We have our Bibles on our phone. We arm our house alarms, check our bank accounts, and store hundred of pictures on our phones. (I presently have 1,392 pictures on mine!)
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the phone. (I know this because I researched it on my phone.) I don’t think he had any idea what would become of his invention, but I do know this: God knew of it, approved of it, and blessed it. Just think of the millions of people who have been introduced to the saving power of God through the phone!
The notion or idea of this open line of communication was evident centuries ago. In the Old Testament, God told Jeremiah to “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Take that, Mr. Apple. In your face, Mr. Droid. God was first to make a call to us. It was not a “collect call,” either. It was a call, superintended by the Holy Spirit, to invite Him into our lives as Savior. Now, that’s a call worth making!
God is calling out to a generation too busy to seek after Him. One of the frequent refrains in our society is, “….if I have time.” One of the most prominent excuses is “I ran out of time.” While those excuses are not sinful in themselves, packing our lives with life’s extras, while being remiss about God’s priorities, is. God is always one step away. Luke writes, “For the promise (the gift of the Holy Spirit) is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” God is calling out, “Can you hear me now?” “Where ya at?” We must be ready and willing to respond.
Our salvation decision is the most important decision we could ever make. Peter agrees, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” He continues, encouraging, “for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Christians today must comprehend that it’s not about “us.” Yes, it is called the “I-phone.” I-phones have and will continue to change the way we live in our world. What if, however, God placed this name on the inventors’ hearts to remind His people to use the phone for His glory and His salvation purposes? If so, it is God continuously reminding us, “I am that I am” is speaking. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” It’s not my phone or your phone, but God’s phone. In this way, it is His phone. Let us use it for His glory. So, go ahead. Check your phone. Check it often.