I like reading! I like books! Just ask Nancy, she’ll verify both those statements. 😊 The only problem is that I am a slow reader. Nancy can read a 300-page book in just a day or two. Me…it would take me a week or two to get through the same book.
About two years ago I was introduced to an app for my cell phone that has been a real gamechanger for me. One of the staff members at the Mitchell Public Library told me about the Libby app for my cell phone that allows me to download and listen to audio books. I’ve actually listened to audio books or books on CD for many years, but that required me to purchase books, and they can get rather spendy. So, I purchased books rather sparingly. However, with the Libby app, as long as I have a valid Mitchell Library Card, I can download books for free. So far in 2026 I’ve listened to 17 books. In the past year I’ve listened to 58 books. When I’m walking the dog, driving to and from work, or Sioux Falls, etc., I’m usually listening to a book.
Now this is usually great…except something I’ve noticed is that it is hard to hear Nancy speaking when I am listening to a book. You see, sometimes in the morning when I’m getting ready for the day, I’ll have my current book playing. And the thing is, Nancy can’t hear it because the app is able to connect directly with my hearing aids, so I just listen through them. How convenient is that?! Well, it is very convenient, but also not helpful in communicating with my spouse. I realize it is frustrating for her…and also frustrating for me when I am unable to hear what she is trying to say to me. So, I’ve decided that as long as Nancy and I are home or together, I will not listen to a book. Otherwise, I am too distracted to hear what she is saying.
Well, that got me thinking about my connection with God. How often do I wonder why I’m not hearing anything from God? Is it God’s not speaking…or am I too distracted, too focused on listening to something else so that I don’t have the capacity to hear or receive anything from God! Ouch, being honest about my answer hurts a little bit because the truth is I tend to fill my days with busyness and noise, thus not having the capacity to hear what God might be trying to say to me. Or another truth that sometimes keeps me from hearing what God is speaking to me is that of the inner messages that play over and over in my mind.
You know, we all have some sort of track or tape with a certain message. It might say something like, “I’m not good enough.” Or “I’m unlovable.” Or “I’m not very smart.” Or “I’m not very good looking.” Or “I weigh too much.” Or “I’m not popular enough.” Or “God could never forgive me.” Or “God could never use me.” It’s those kinds of negative messages that often seem to be stuck on “repeat” in our mind. But that isn’t the message that Jesus brings to each of us or wants us to hear. But again, when that is the track playing it’s hard to hear anything else.
I’m reminded of the story from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. Samuel as a child was dedicated to serve God in the temple but Samuel didn’t know God’s voice. One night God spoke to Samuel, but Samuel just thought it was Eli the priest calling for him. After Samuel went to Eli and asked what he wanted, Eli realized it was God calling Samuel. Eli gave Samuel the instructions, “Next time you hear the voice calling you say, ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening.’” 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Those are good words of wisdom for all of us who are following Jesus in this “noise filled” culture we live in. That is my prayer for myself today, and for days to come. Maybe you can join me in speaking these words too. “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Pastor Keith