Static

If you’re like me, you tend to pick up your smartphone without thinking about it. Whether you’re checking texts, social media notifications, or searching the web, your phone is always on you or close at hand. 

Have you ever misplaced it or left it behind? It can be strangely disorienting to not have your phone—in your bedroom, your bathroom, or your car.

When this happened to me recently, I was left thinking, “what do people think about when they don’t have their phone with them?” (The very fact that I was wondering this shows me that there are other things to think about!)

For a moment, I caught a glimpse of what Leslie Schmucker calls the “static” in our lives. It may be the inner murmur of self-talk, the societal pressures around you, the constant pull of social media, or perhaps just general busyness in your day or week. 

We experience a lot of “static” in our lives.

“Too often,” writes Schmucker, “we succumb to the crackling, grace-robbing intensity of the static around and within us. God’s voice is steady and unwavering,” she writes, “but we must quiet ourselves to hear it.” (Read more)

It’s true that our phones give us sensory overload, but our hearts aren’t any better. We are ignorant at best and fickle or disinterested at worst. How often we fail to take time to reflect on God’s work, consider our calling, reflect on His glory, and worship His majesty!

Dr. John Piper helps us understand our condition: “If you can’t see the sun, you will be impressed with a street light. If you’ve never felt thunder and lightning, you’ll be impressed with fireworks. And if you turn your back on the greatness and majesty of God, you’ll fall in love with a world of shadows and short-lived pleasures.” (Read more)

This isn’t about picking up your phone less, it’s about marveling at the glory of God more. 

Consider the story of Moses and the burning bush. “He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, ‘I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.'” – Exodus 3:3 (emphasis added)

When we stop to wonder, we can truly consider the majesty of God—His greatness, might, splendor, excellence, worth, fame, and glory. In the words of Rich Mullins, “our God is an awesome God.”

We should marvel with David, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” – Psalm 8:3-5

We have great dignity as image bearers of God. Greater still is the good news that when we’d broken the image, Christ died to redeem us, restore us, and reconcile us to God.

Our Creator and King, the Lord of the universe, submitted himself for us. He was made lower than the angels that He might be human and share in our suffering and face the consequences for our sin. He suffered unto death. And now, He has been raised and is crowned with glory and honor as our Creator and Redeemer. 

CONCLUSION

If you’re like me, there’s a lot of “static” in your life. But here’s the thing: It’s not disorienting to take time for thoughtful reflection and meditation. It actually re-orients us to what we were created and redeemed for.

Trade out the static for the clear voice of God in your life. Take time to meditate on God’s Word and listen to His voice. He will speak to you!

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of TeenPact Leadership Schools. To learn more about our Vision & Values, please visit teenpact.com/vision-values/.