Communication...it's the key to...

On my way home from work today, I approached a part of the drive where traffic merges.  We don’t live in a heavily populated area such as LA, NY or Dallas, but the traffic can get heavy for our neck of the woods just like anywhere else.  I don’t like going through this area at certain times of the day only because most folks refuse to signal which way they’re going causing traffic to pile up and occasionally a wreck.  I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve made this point while going through this stretch of the drive.  Today was different, though.  I drove through it (with my turn signal on, btw!) and made it through easily.  Traffic in front of me merged harmoniously with signals...I looked in my rear view mirror and saw what I would consider a symphony for the eyes!  The cars behind me all signaled and merged perfectly as well, without stopping traffic…without causing confusion!  It! was! beautimus!

 

Using a turn signal in a car is a form of communication between drivers. (No need to discuss the other forms! HA!)  If you don’t use it, you’re not communicating.  It’s that simple.

 

I find communication to be of the utmost importance.  It’s beyond me why so many of us refuse to communicate.  If we don’t communicate by signaling in our cars, it causes confusion and potential danger.  If we don’t communicate in day to day life, whether socially, in the work place, family or even with strangers…inevitably, it may and probably does cause confusion and / or hurt feelings.

So…I wonder how God feels when we don’t communicate with Him?  Hmmm…I can’t answer for Him, but, I can tell you that I don’t like it when I extend a line of communication to someone and they don’t respond.  I have felt slighted, put off and even downright ignored.  Even though I have a healthy knowledge of who I am, it does still bother me from time to time when someone doesn’t reciprocate.

 

Our Heavenly Father wants to communicate with us.  He is always reaching out to us, but we don’t always respond to His calling to us.  Why is that?  Are we too busy doing our own thing?  Maybe we’re in a bad mood and don’t want to?  Do we have selective hearing?  Or just maybe we think that we’re above communicating with Him?  You know…an “I’ve got it all figured out, I don’t need help” attitude!  Whatever the case may be, God is the One we should be communicating with.  He sent His only son, Jesus, to live on this earth in a body of flesh so that He, God Almighty, could relate to us.  Jesus gave up everything in Heaven to come and live and die on this earth so ultimately we could have Salvation, but so that we could have communication with God as well as many other things.  Jesus is our High Priest. (See Hebrews 4:14) There’s no need for any of us to go through any. one. else. to communicate with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We are totally and completely free to communicate with Almighty God, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth on a one to one basis without any fear.  How awesome is that?!

 

God wants the very best for us.  He has already provided the very best for us in every situation we might be in whether we need healing, (physical, mental or emotional) wisdom, material or monetary needs.  You name it…He’s already made the provision. All we have to do is ask and believe.  Asking is partaking in communication.  Praying to God is communication with Him.  It’s easy!  There’s no need for fancy words…no need for long, seemingly, impressive speech!  He’s not impressed by that.  He wants someone with a heart for Him.  It’s as simple as speaking to Him and telling Him what’s on your heart and mind.  I have had prayers answered that I only thought in my mind.  I’ve had prayers answered that I spoke out loud in a normal speaking voice.  And, I assure you, I’ve had times in my life where I was afraid that I had let God know a little too loudly and a little too boldly what was on my mind.  But, what I found out is that, whatever the issue was, He already knew.  That’s right…He already knew...but He wanted me to communicate it to Him.  I also found out just how big God is…He can take whatever it is that I have to say…even if I’m angry with Him.  The beautiful thing is that He listens and then He helps me, in spite of how I feel or what I’ve said or done.  Yes, He still helps me no matter what I throw at Him.  I find that SO freeing and absolutely amazing!  Knowing that I can tell Him anything that’s on my mind and not having to worry about gossip or my words being twisted into something that I didn’t say and so on and so forth, is very freeing.  He is the only One I can totally and completely trust…hands down!

 

Now the flip side of the coin is listening for that still small voice…learning to say what I need to say, but then getting myself out of the way, being silent and listening for His response. (Be still and know that I am God… Psalms 46:10)   He’s answered me in many different ways.  We’re all different and He knows exactly what the best form of communication is needed for each of us.  Don’t get stressed over not hearing a voice either loud or soft.  Just listen…give Him your time…He is speaking to you now and always.

 

He’s the Creator of ALL things, but yet, He knows who you are and He wants a relationship with you.  (See Colossians 1:16-17, Job 7:17)

 

Communication…it’s the key to a good relationship, whether it’s with God, family, friends, co-workers or strangers. 

 

Are any of you suffering hardships?  You should pray.  Are any of you happy?  You should sing praises.  Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.  Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the lord will make you well.  And, if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.   James 5:13  

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5