“The word of the Lord came to me: I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a profit to the nations. But I protested. ‘Oh, no, Lord GOD! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am [only] a youth.’ Then the LORD said to me: Do not say: I am [only] a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. [This is] the Lord’s declaration.” - Jeremiah 1:4-8
As a basketball coach, I’ve always put a big emphasis on communication among our team during practice on the court because, without it, players seem lost. It’s frustrating as a coach to watch mistakes occur when all it takes is a little talking to one another to get things corrected. I sometimes stop practice and ask the kids why they can get in trouble for talking in class, or how they can talk for hours on their cell phones, but when it comes to communicating on the court, they just won’t do it.
Outside the court, one of the things I notice is that everyone is on their cell phones. It’s communication to the max! Thousands of people are talking about their daily lives, gossiping about other people and telling others about the latest news. Then, still more people are dialing directory assistance because they don’t know the number they are trying to reach to give their story, their gossip or their news. And if there is an emergency out there, people are dialing 911 to get help immediately.
Compare this to your spiritual life. Which of these examples best fits your communication style?
1) Are you communicating the great news of Jesus to others and how He works in your daily life? Are you sharing with them the plan He has for their lives too?
2) Maybe you’re dialing 411 for assistance because you’re not sure what to tell others. Are you having trouble taking the first step in sharing Christ with others because it may not be the most popular move or because someone might call you a “Jesus freak”?
3) Are you that person who needs to dial 911 because your life seems to be filled with emergencies and you won’t turn your worries over to God?
The good thing about a relationship with the Lord is that you can communicate without a cell phone and you don’t have to dial a certain number. All you have to do is open up and talk to Him. You don’t have to worry about using minutes or what time you use them during the day; you’re on the unlimited plan! You get as many rollover minutes as you need!
Think for a moment about what it would look like if everyone talked to Jesus today as much as they talked on their cell phones. How many more lines of communications could be opened toward God? It would be far better than getting the latest gossip and would deliver the best news you could ever hear.
1. Are you ready to communicate with the Lord? Take time from your busy schedule and just talk with Him.
2. Are you ready to take it a step further and talk to others about the Lord, or are you afraid you’ll be ridiculed for it?
3. Do you have a need to call 411 for information or 911 for an emergency? He has the answers for those phone calls, too.
Psalm 25:5-6
Proverbs 23:26
Jeremiah 33:3
1 Peter 1:5-7