“There’s an app for that!!” That’s a pretty common phrase to hear these days. You name it, there probably is an app that you can download to your phone or your device. Churches have apps, restaurants have apps, the City of Mitchell has an app that allows you to report issues or even find city services. There are apps that help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. There is an app that can help you know the value of a coin. There are apps that can help you become more organized. There are apps that allow you to play games. There are apps that help you plan trips and routes to take. There are apps to help with cooking and meal planning. There are apps that help you communicate with family and friends. Please understand many of these apps might have a fee involved, so don’t just start downloading lots of apps.
One app that I’ve been seeing a lot of ads for on my phone lately, is an app that allows you to take a picture of a plant and it can help you identify the plant, as well as tell you what you need to do to help make it healthy if it’s looking sickly or like it is dying. Some of the remedies that I’ve seen in the advertisements seem a bit bizarre, like cinnamon or lemon juice being applied to the plant. But at least in the ads it always seems to work, and the plant very quickly perks up.
Well, the other day I was having an off day – you know, one of those days when a person feels down and discouraged about things for no particular reason. I saw one of those plant ads on my phone and I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great if they had an app like that for people! Then I could just take a picture of myself and in a matter of seconds the app would identify what the problem was AND it would give me the remedy. Read a certain paragraph in a specific book, go out and sit in the sun, listen to the message of a certain speaker or preacher, eat a certain food, go for a bicycle ride, etc. Do a couple of these things and wa-la, everything will be fine and life will continue in a more normal fashion.
I pondered that thought for a moment and then I decided, there already is an app for that…but it isn’t an app on my phone. It is the connection I have, and that we all can have, with God. You see, this is why taking the time to read from the Bible regularly is important. Doing so provides a practical and common way that God speaks into our lives. Or having a few favorite Bible passages memorized is a sure way to hear God’s voice when having a difficult moment. And if not a Bible verse speaking to you, maybe it is a hymn or the lyrics of a Christian song from one of your favorite artists. Or maybe you’ll sense God’s presence when you are out serving and helping others in the community. There are all sorts of ways that we can become attentive to God’s voice in our daily lives. This is what John Wesley called “means of grace.” These are specific and intentional practices that allow us to hear and experience the presence of God in our lives. No app necessary! What is required is an open heart and a willingness to sense the presence of God in your life.
Perhaps this week, before reaching for another app on your phone, pause for just a moment and reach for one of God's means of grace instead. Read a Psalm. Whisper a prayer. Sing a favorite hymn. Take a walk and notice God's creation. Call someone who needs encouragement. Worship with your church family. You may not receive an instant notification or a flashing alert, but don't be surprised if you discover that God has been speaking all along. Sometimes the greatest help doesn't come from downloading another app—it comes from deepening our connection with the One who knows us best.
Pastor Keith