In a far a way country, almost 100 years ago, there was no radio. No TV,
no Internet. People actually had to talk with each other, read, or went to bed
early, getting up even earlier to start the next day. Then along came radio,
and soon this invisible voice was able to fill parlors from coast to coast.
Bringing the outside world into the home, form mysteries, to baseball games, to
the gospel, the magic of sound came out of this big piece of furniture called
the Philco, the centerpiece of any modern home 80 years ago. Electronic, it was
fed by vacuum tubes, that took time to warm up. And when your favorite show was
coming on, seconds could seem like minutes. Just waiting for the set to warm up
so you could hear Mel Allen welcome you to “baseball and Ballantine,” the voice
of the Yankees, you didn’t want to miss the first pitch. And who wanted to miss
the beginning of the sermon, the title sometimes being the only thing you got
out of the message. But sometimes the sound would end, the lights go out, for a
tube had died. Pulling off the back, you could identify the bad tube, it was
usually black, and a quick run to the store, where you plugged it into the tube
tester, and it told you for sure it was faulty, just in case the lack of sound
was questioned. And then returning home with a new tube, plugging it in, you
hoped they hadn’t finished the message, named the who dunnit, or missed the last
out of the shutout-the game of the year. You wanted to hear it all live, not
from your friends the next day. Bragging as if they had really been there, and
sad because you weren’t.
And soon newer cars had radios, taking big band music of Glen Miller on
Sunday afternoon rides. Listening to the ball game under shady trees while
eating fried chicken, plying catch as Mel gave the count and the pitch. “Going,
going, gone...” so was the pitch and so were we. And nothing like hearing your
favorite song with that special date, parked alone at Inspiration Point, waiting
for that magic moment. Waiting for the radio to warm up...and your date.
And then came transistors, from war time after WWII. The grandfathers of
microchips, these little amplifiers and on/off switches allowed us to not miss a
pitch. We never had to wonder who dunnit, as they didn’t fail, and on dates
with multiplestations, your song could be easily found. And if you struck out
on the date, there was always baseball...all best heard from the back seat, and
from the rear speaker. Even these little “transistor sisters” could be carried
in a shirt pocket, taken to school for special events, and if your teacher was
cool, listened to at lunch. And do you remember singing out loud while on the
headphones while your friends laughed at you? The still small voices talking in
your head...
Fast forward to today, where now we have cell phones that give Internet
access, text, take pictures, and if aimed right,can even take phone calls.
Amazing, and that still small voice can now be musical, sports oriented, or even
allow you to attend church, without attending. Miracle of all miracles, what
could be next, what could be better than being there?
But yet we have all become like one of the above. Some are tube based, and
when the tube turns black, they turn away from God. Good only for a season,
that once still, small voice inside, that once inspired them, is now silent.
They have quit listening to and for God, and have gone on to other more
entertaining forms of life. They forget that like tubes, they can be
resurrected, and have life again, but aren’t interested. Instead like the old
radio, they are abandoned, only it is them that turn away from God. No tube, no
Jesus, no life. And sometimes it is back to old habits, more Ballantine than
baseball. And they don’t feel welcomed anymore. No more who dunnit, no more
promise of Jesus’ return. The set is dead, the lights are out. The room is
quiet.
Some are like the transistor, instant gratification, I want it now. And
when God acts like the genie in their lamp, they are always turned on and
sometimes even tuned into Him. Like their favorite song on the radio, they
listen for Him, and like a date, make one with Him at least once week to catch
up. But sometimes they get busy, on other dates, and that still, small voice is
drowned out. Even putting their ear to the speaker isn’t good enough. God is
dead, they have heard, and soon they believe it, although it is them and not
God. Resurrection also works on them, but they forget about Jesus. Where was
God when they needed Him, why didn’t I get the job, the girl, or the car? Must
be God’s fault, so they go on, listening to a new song,one that drowns out the
real message, and they soon only look back, because they have no reason to look
ahead.
Today some stay out of church, claiming that they go to church via the
internet, but it is not the same. They seek instant gratification, and rather
Skype an old friend over gossip, than hear the truth from any pulpit. Too much
to listen to, but nothing on. So they grab onto whatever text comes next, and
that still small voice, becomes a loud text, and soon they have no time for
God. Jesus never left them, they turned off His station, for the world. And
when not fulfilled, pride keeps them away. And then when they fail, they are
thrown away, thinking they are not fixable, replaced and forgotten. For
whatever is new today, will be better and less expensive tomorrow, just hang on
and wait, you’ll see. And so Jesus does...are we listening?
Funny how scripture never says ‘he who has a tongue let him speak, but
Jesus warns more than once, “He who has an ear, let Him hear.” A still, small
voice, the spirit, here and now, not from many mile away. Beckoning you to take
an afternoon drive with Him, make a date, or even accept an invite to church.
He is calling, the lines are open. What station are you tuned to?
There are many buttons to be pushed on the radio of life. Pushing the
wrong one can cause you to miss out on life, the right button leads to eternity,
and a pretty good right now. Long before tubes, transistors, and microchips,
there was Jesus. And long after there still will be Jesus. A favorite song, an
exciting game, a drive in the country, or a special date. He who has an ear,
let him hear and respond now. Pull the back off your old life, replace the
tube, and hear that voice again. Plug in earphone and let your transistor
sister bring the joy of Jesus to you. And Skype Jesus today...He has been
waiting for your call. Back to the beginning, when people used to talk one on
one. And still can today to Jesus. Don’t bother waiting up for the game, it is
just starting. Welcome to the first pitch....going, going, gone. Will you go
with Him?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com