Yes! Yes! I hear ya!

I love when "Captain Obvious" voices instruct me. "Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Low battery!" So, I wear a hearing aid and the battery usually lasts quite a while. If I wear the unit constantly during the day, I may get 8-10 days of use per battery. The subtle loss of battery life influences the effectiveness of the hearing aid. In other words, over those 8-10 days the unit loses volume but it is difficult to discern any appreciable loss of hearing....until the "Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Low battery." sounds in my ear. Umm, yes, I hear you. It is then that I remember conversations with folks that hadn't been easily understood and my ears were not picking up the words well. As the battery weakened over a long period of time, I continued to believe the unit was operating at full strength. Hearing loss due to loud work environments and even louder music is hardly noticed day to day because loss is gradual. The same gradual loss can be said for hearing aid batteries.

Proper maintenance of my hearing aid and being attentive to the performance of the same is vital so that my life is enriched by all the audible stimuli surrounding me. I like to think I know when the aid needs a battery. I am the Admirable of the 'fail' boat on that statement! I am never able to predict when the battery will fail...until that voice in my ear informs me, "Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Low battery!" Even though I get frustrated with the "Captain Obvious" voice in my ear, I find it a necessary reminder that I cannot always predict my need until it occurs.

The words of scripture can often come across to me as the "Captian Obvious" voice. The instruction God offers me is succinct and timely. I respond (at times) with a, "Yes, yes, I hear ya!" How I must try God's heart with my independent spirit...

Fact is, I cannot predict all my future needs, yet live as though I can. Understanding one's limits is both freeing and frightening. It is freeing in knowing one can only do so much and resting in that knowledge. It is also frightening in knowing one must fully rely on God to provide all of our needs according to the Divine plan that oft times is not evident to us. "Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Low battery." Translated, that warning might mean, "Randy, stop! You are going the wrong way." or "Randy, your heart isn't right on this issue." Until God gets my attention, I'm well on my way to places of suffering. Daily immersion in God's word is so helpful in guiding and clarifying my role in this journey of life. Trusting in God and being attentive to His voice is paramount for me.

Is your spiritual battery waning? Can you hear God's voice whispering your name? Wait for it. "Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Low battery." And there in lies our saving grace. God will always seek us and gain our attention by whatever means necessary in order to restore the relationship between His heart and ours. 'Welp', time to don the hearing aid and get busy listening!