Turn the Radio Off!

It was a typical summer day in Littleton, Colorado. I jumped into my Ford Escort and headed north on University Boulevard toward my place of employment. The Rocky Mountains were on my left while the sun shone brightly through the passenger side window. I had recently discovered a new Christian radio station which had proved a blessing to me, so this particular morning I tuned from one station to another scrambling to find it. For one reason or another reception was terrible. My best guess was that I needed a new antenna, but I wasn’t sure.

I was almost to Washington Park traveling up University, which is two-thirds of the way there, when I found the station. I started listening. This particular morning I felt I needed a spiritual pick-me-up. I stopped at the intersection right near the park and suddenly felt the Lord telling me to turn the radio off. It didn’t make sense. I was listening to Christian radio. Christian radio was good for me. I was sure the Lord would agree. I just kept driving trying my best to ignore that still, small voice. I heard it again. “Could you turn the radio off?” I argued, “Lord, It took me so long to find the station.” Again the Lord in his sweet way said, “For me would you turn the radio off?” I turned it off.

Suddenly his presence was so real. God Himself drew near. His presence enveloped me. Immediately I asked the Lord to forgive me for being so stubborn and told him, “Your presence is what I crave; being with you is what it’s all about.” He just wanted to spend some time with me. A scripture passage in Revelation came to mind. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20 NKJV). For a long time I thought this particular verse was written to unbelievers who needed to be saved. I was wrong. Actually it was written to Christians at the Laodicean Church.

In all our busy-ness, even good busy-ness, he stands outside our heart’s door knocking; trying to get our attention. He just wants to spend time with us. The problem is we get so involved in what we are doing that we don’t hear his knocking. But he is persistent and just keeps knocking until sooner or later we cry out, “Lord I’m a Christian, and I’m trying to do everything right, but I miss being in your presence.” The Lord responds, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10 NKJV) He has so much He wants to tell you. He may want to prepare you for today. Possibly, He has things about your future that He wants to talk to you about. Slow down, apply the break pedal and spend time with him. Surely you can afford just a few minutes each day in his presence? Allow him to communicate with you. As David exclaimed in the Psalms, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalms 16:11 NKJ )

Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest:
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast!
O to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear—
I am His and He is mine.

--George Wade Robinson (1838-1877)

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