The Quietness of God

   There are times when stopped at a traffic light a car has pulled alongside with music so loud that my car vibrates from the bass notes.  I’ve wondered how the driver would ever be aware of any danger approaching.  I doubt they could hear another driver’s horn or even the siren of police, fire or rescue vehicles.  They are encompassed by sound so overwhelming that virtually nothing else could be heard.

   Life is very similar.  We get so involved with our daily life and everything in it that we lose sight of the world and those around us.  Just as the loud music overwhelms the ears, our lives can overwhelm our senses in many ways.  We can be so distracted by the minutia of our day that we miss those things that are most important.

   Focus on career success sometimes over-rides family relations.  Husbands and wives are barely aware of each other.  Children don’t benefit from the loving interaction with parents because Mom and Dad are too busy with other things.  It saddens me to see a family in a restaurant with Mom, Dad and the kids all focused on their phones and games.  They may as well be eating alone; there is no interaction with those who should be the primary focus of their life at that moment.

   The same applies to our relationship with our Lord.  The daily grind, the worries and concerns, the drive to get more and better “stuff” blinds us to the beauty and love of God.  Rather than seeing the beauty of a sunset we are answering email on our smartphone.  Our prayer life is limited by constantly checking texts, twitter and social media.  We can't ignore them; someone might have sent an important message.

   People say they never hear God.  I say they aren’t listening.  God doesn’t compete with all the other aspects of our lives.  He quietly waits for us to realize what is truly important; our relationship with Him.

   In this new year, consider setting aside the phones, games, and other distractions for at least a while each day.  Instead pay attention to what is truly important in life; our relationship with each other and with our God.

Father, we become so distracted by life.

Help us take time for what really matters.

All earthly things will pass away.

Only You, Your love and mercy will remain.

Amen