The worst sound is a phone that never rings. Such is the story of my life as a single woman. Equally disturbing is an unfulfilled promise to “Call you later…” Seeing the non-caller’s real time posts on social media dispels all myths of their busyness, illness or sudden death. Instead it means that you’re simply not on their list of things to do, they’re sick of of you, or you’re dead…to them, lol.
Today almost everyone has their own cell phone, even some of my 1st grade students. Yet with nostalgia my mom still speaks of party lines. Copper wire being of short supply, once upon a time people actually shared phone service. Private calls didn’t exist, but instead subscribers, anyone in the neighborhood who had the same number or was “on your party line,” could listen in on your conversation.
Frightening.
Using phone books and 411 for information is also obsolete. Switchboards, tangled cords, busy and off the hook alarms are all communication of old. And so I was jolted by the present reality, when my phone recently and unexpectedly made a loud noise to warn and text me about the resurgence of the pandemic. It seems these smartphones now have a Ph.D. Cell phones are the new black book, clock, encyclopedia, flashlight, navigation system, planner, FEMA…you name it. But don’t leave home without it. Even sheltered-in-place I bet your phone is within arm’s reach. There is, however, someone who knows more than Google, delivers better than Amazon Prime and with no need for PPE, one who sticks closer than any brother. There is one who will always answer. Jesus.
These last 8 or 9 months have allowed me to put a lot of distractions on silent. I’ve come to realize that while I’ve upgraded my phone, my faith not so much. I go around carelessly speaking more death than life, the enemy all the while listening.
Frightening.
I sometimes forget that Jesus is on the mainline and instead tell any and everybody else what I want. In emergencies I refuse to free the line and allow God to take care of it. Then when He doesn’t answer as fast as I would like I complain, “Can You hear me now?” All the while it’s me who is disconnected. I am grateful that it is never too late to restart. I don’t have to worry about losing everything because Jesus saved me. Even when my signal is weak, The Holy Spirit has the power to get me through.
Any other message to the contrary is scam likely.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
-Jeremiah 33:3
