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DirecTV offers the NFL Package and since I am a Denver Broncomaniac, the thought of watching every Bronco game on Sunday appealed to me. As a result, like the dutiful little spouse that I am, I ordered DirecTV and surprised Teresa with it right before Christmas. In addition to being venerated as the “best girl friend in the world,” I was also able to watch the last few Bronco games of the season. Finally we were able to experience the glamour of satellite TV; more channels, clearer picture, more choices of pay per view.
All was right with the world.
Soon after we settled into our newfound world of satellite TV, we realized that there were certain things that interfered with the reception. One day we were watching a movie and suddenly the screen went blank. A message at the bottom of the TV showed a picture of a small satellite dish and a small TV. The picture showed the satellite emitting lines to the TV and it said, “please wait, searching for signal.” So we did. We waited and waited and waited. The attraction of satellite TV soon turned into irritation as we sat there staring at a blank screen.
“What the….what’s going on? Did you hit something on the remote?” Each of us accused the other of a critical “remote faux pas.” When we realized it had nothing to do with the remote, we turned the satellite box on and off. Still no picture. We turned the TV on and off. Still no picture. What happened to the signal! Nothing works. We need the signal to get the picture. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Next step, doubt. We lamented to each other. “Why did we change to satellite?
We should have stayed with cable. I remember how rarely our cable went out. I remember how wonderful the picture was. It wasn’t as blurred as we thought. Oh, what we would give to have our good old cable back.”
Next step, anger. “I hate waiting for the picture to reappear! We are missing half of the movie!”
Next step, blame. “It was your idea to get the satellite dish!” If it weren’t for you, we’d still have a picture!”
Next step, action. “How much longer do we have to wait for this picture! I can’t wait any longer! I’m calling the company!”
Next step, acceptance. “Okay, I guess we’ll have to be patient.”
Next step, satisfaction. “Thank God, the picture is back.”
Does this sound familiar to anyone? More times than not, it seems, our Spiritual TV is interfered with. Signals from the Spiritual Satellite get scrambled or blocked on the way to our Spiritual homes. Perhaps it is the cloud of broken heartedness that interferes with our signal. Perhaps it is the wind of gossip. Perhaps it is the rain of condemnation. Perhaps it is the sleet of fear. Whatever the reason, our signals with God are constantly hampered by external and internal storms.
One day we are feeling great. Our attitudes are positive. We are energetic. We feel totally in tune with God. We go on with our lives in remote control. Every channel clear and concise. Prayer goes up, answers flow back.
Suddenly, our Spiritual screens are blank and we envision a small picture of the cross with lines emitting out of it toward our silhouette. “Please wait, searching for signal.” At that moment, we feel lost. Searching for signal? What if the signal never comes? What if the satellite has fallen from the sky? What if I’m defective? What if I’ve done something to stop satellite service?
Sometimes we have to wait. Sometimes we have to be patient. God’s timing is not always…actually most often…not in our time frame. That’s why faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).
Just because we can’t see the picture, doesn’t mean there’s no signal. Just because can’t see the satellite with our naked eye, doesn’t mean there is no satellite. When we get beyond our impatience, our impetuosity, our self-condemnation, we realize that the reason we aren’t getting the signal is because we aren’t yet ready to see the movie. Perhaps that is because the movie is rated “R” and we are still at the “PG” stage. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)
Whatever the reason, we must remember that we are never far from God. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139 7-10 NIV)
So how do we keep the signal strong? Prayer. Speaking to God continually. Living in the knowledge that God listens, cares about and answers our prayers, even when we feel blank. There is never a time when God’s signal is cut off from us, sometimes we just need to rotate our Spiritual receiver in a different direction to get a clearer picture.
Rev. Denise Cordova is pastor of Light of the Soul Christian Ministries, which meets every Sunday @ 7:00 PM in Reno, NV. Denise is a Jesus activist in the gltb community and is proud to proclaim God’s love for all people. You may contact her at liteofthesoul@aol.com or (775) 323-2798.
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