Tune In

Scriptures: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

There was a time in my life, for a period of about 3 months, when I had to leave my family in Northern California and came to work on a project alone in Southern California. It was a difficult time for us and I missed my family a lot. So, every other Friday night, I would drive home to spend the weekend with my family.

It was a long drive, about 5 to 6 hours of drive, and was very challenging, especially after working long hours throughout the week. I relied on radio programs from gospel radio stations throughout the state to help keep me awake. I noticed that, not long after I passed Castaic Lake and went into the mountainous area, the signals from various gospel stations in Southern California would become weak. Before I got to Gorman, I would lose all signals from any gospel radio stations.

As soon as I came out of the mountainous area and got to Grapevine area, I was able to pick up signals from some other gospel radio stations in Central California. But I would have to turn the dial to find them. Throughout the entire trip home, I had to repeat this effort 2 to 3 times.

This may sound troublesome, but it really wasn’t. There were truthful sermon messages, uplifting worship songs, inspiring apologetic arguments, touching personal testimonies and insightful analysis of our time from biblical perspectives. You would think that driving for 5 to 6 hours all by yourself is exhausting, but, with these programs, I knew I was strengthened more than exhausted.

I think, in many ways, our life is just like these trips I took. Things are constantly changing, so fast and frequent that we didn’t see them coming. We are so deep into what we do everyday that we don’t realize our situations have been different. Sometimes, we don’t even realize that we missed the channels of God. The music has changed and we continue to hum along, thinking we are still tuned in.

Then, when something happened, we realized that we were no longer tuned in to the channels of God. So, we started to seek God again, turning the dials and moving from one station to another until we hear that loving and familiar voice of God.

To us, life can be unpredictable, and certainly uncomfortable and exhausting at times. But, if we tuned in to the voice and guidance of God daily, then, just as Apostle Paul said, we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind and “be table to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

All that’s required of us is constant introspective self-examination to determine if we are still tuned in and to adjust our dial accordingly. His messages of encouragements and inspiration are still there, available for the enrichment of our life. His Spirit is still with us, waiting to renew and empower us for His glory and purposes. All we need to do is to turn our dial and tune in!

Prayer Requests:
1. For church leaders seeking to explore new frontiers for the Kingdom of God
2. For people feeling so far away from their Lord and Savior in life

Prayer:
Our loving and mighty Lord, You are the one we seek to exalt and worship. Help us to tune in to Your frequency so we may be inspired by Your wisdom and wonder, be motivated with Your love, be guided by Your Spirit and be empowered to do the good work You have called us to. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!