A Painful Paradox

Batman has been a staple of American youth from comic book days to Adam West's portrayal of the caped hero during my childhood.  I learned the literary term "onomatopoeia" by the use of "BOOM" and "WHAM" from the televised "Batman" series!

From the time he was a little tike, my son, Colton, has LOVED Batman.  From lunch boxes to backpacks to birthday party themes, Batman has been part of his 18 years of life.  (Little brother, Conner, always had to be Robin!) 

For weeks now, the excitement over the new Batman movie has been evident in our house.  This movie premier would be one of the final times Colton and his high school friends would hang out before going their separate ways to college.  A planned night out with buddies and a beloved youth group coach was planned, and tickets purchased weeks in advance to the midnight IMAX presentation.  Batman costumes were bought, and a great night of fun for all was almost here!

I'm sure this scene was repeated throughout the country yesterday.  In Nashville.  In Atlanta.  In San Diego.  And in Aurora.

But another scene was also repeated yesterday.  A scene of violence.  A scene of cowardice.  A scene of hatred.  A scene of terror.  A scene of fear.  A scene of contempt.  A scene of horror.  A scene of murder and mayhem.  

Twenty four hours ago, a young man was planning a horrific crime at a movie theater.  Guns were loaded.  Ammunition was bought.  Black clothing and a gas mask were readied.  A plan of immense terror was calculated in the mind of a supposedly "normal" guy.  The parents, teenagers, children, and movie workers had no idea of his plan as they stood in line last night for the midnight premier.  They laughed.  They talked.  They anxiously anticipated what they believed would be a great next three hours of their lives.  Little did they know that their excitement would soon turn to survival as they scurried for their lives away from his random bullets. 

Earlier this week, there was speculation that this movie might just break box office records of all time.  People throughout the country enjoyed the long awaited Batman sequel just a few hours ago.    My son and his friends sat in a theater in Hendersonville, Tennessee.  They sang the praises of the movie, and they walked out of the theater alive.   Other innocent people sat in Theater 9 in Aurora, Colorado, and they did not. 

"Can You Hear Me Now?" -- God

Television commercials have always amazed me.  The creative advertising minds seem to really know what sells, and what doesn't!  Most of us have seen the popular cell phone commercial with the nerdy guy repeatedly asking, "Can you hear me now?  Can you hear me now?  Can you hear me NOW????"

 This ad appeals to ANYONE who has ever experienced a dropped call or an infamous "dead zone".  Constant communication has become an apparent necessity in our lives today.  Our cell phone is as important as our wallet, and we wouldn't dare leave home without it!  It is our life line.  An hour without a call, text or Twitter update has us worried that our cell battery is not fully charged.  We live in the communication age, and instantaneous communication has simplified our lives.  (Really?)

Cell carriers jockey for our business promising the best service; biggest screen size; and boldest apps.  It is essential that we have the latest and greatest device on the market that will ensure 24/7 communication at our fingertips.  At any given time in our home, one might see my husband scanning YouTube (he's addicted!); my oldest son playing Song Pop; my youngest son playing Xbox Live; and me checking my email--ALL ON OUR PHONES!  We are 100% sold on this communication revolution. And I don't think our family is alone!  I'm not certain of any reason why we need to have a cell phone growing out of our ear or hand, but it seems we do.

In thinking of the humorous, "Can you hear me now?" slogan, I cannot help but think of God saying those words to me.

"Darlene, can you hear me now?  Can you stop for just a moment?  Darlene, can you make a little time for me?  Darlene, can you stop texting long enough to hear what I have to say?  Darlene, I'm your Father, and I want to talk with you."

And my answer:

"Well, yes, God.  Of course, I hear you.  I know you are here, but can you hurry?  I'm expecting a text, and I have a stack of papers to grade.  I've got to help Conner with Algebra, and I've got to get dinner cooked.  You know, I am only one person!  Everybody expects so much from me!  You know, my life is just so busy.  I love you, God, but can I call you back a little later?" 

Sometimes amid the busyness of life, we just don't hear Him.  It's not necessarily that we cannot hear Him, possibly, we just won't hear Him.   Maybe we choose not to hear Him, or just don't make (or take) the time to hear Him.  The gifts He has given us--a family, a home, a job, good friends.  All of these things are wonderful, but sometimes we get too lost in life to hear from Him, our Creator.

Psalms 46:10 tells us, "Be still and know that I am God."

Be still.  How hard is that?  We are NEVER still.  Our bodies are on the move constantly.  We have errands to run; children to taxi; groceries to buy; emails to send, and reality television to watch.  Our minds race with thoughts of all we have to do.  Those thoughts are often a jumbled mess of not really knowing what we need to do first on our "to do" lists.  We toss and turn in bed at night thinking of all that we have to do "tomorrow," and all that we did not finish "today."

How can we "be still" and listen for God, when we live in such a hurried life?  We are taught to multitask, and to use every minute of time we have.   We don't have time to sit and listen for God.  We don't have time to simply stop and talk with Him in prayer.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.               (2 Timothy 3: 16-17 NIV)

God speaks to us through His Word any time we want to hear Him.  The answer to any of life's problems can be found in His Word, if we just take the time to look.  His Word is as fresh today as it was two thousand years ago, if we just allow it to quench our spirit.

Satan will allow our lives to become so bustled and busy that we don't seem to have time for God.  That's his plan, but it is not God's plan.

So, amid your busy life, make sure to take some time for rest.  Take some time for revival of your spirit.  Be still, and know that God is calling to you.

Can you hear Him now?