Tuning Our Ear to God's Will

Last Sunday, before our outdoor service, I recognized that my guitar was out of tune and the battery to the electronic tuner was dead. I tried to tune the other strings to one I felt was closest, and though I knew it was still off, I proceeded to lead worship, hoping it was not too noticeable to others! I realized, later on, that I had a tuning fork in the guitar bag all along, but it was too late.

It reminds me of a story where a faithful radio listener and shepherd in Idaho, asked a strange request of his favorite music station. As a violinist without access to much in the hills of Idaho, he asked if the station in Los Angeles would play the key of "A" on their piano during next week's program, so he could properly tune his violin, and the station honored his request!

This world, even this nation, has badly become "out of tune". God has given us everything we need for a joyful, fulfilling life in Him, and our nation even began with a biblical framework that sought to keep its citizens' sinful, power-hungry, and destructive tendencies in check. The Word of God, which provides us with a practical blueprint on that which will keep selfishness at bay and families thriving, has been painted by society at large as archaic or oppressive to the "greater values" of personal "freedom" from morality. As a result, our guidelines have blurred, like a drunk driver swerving between the lanes and threatening oncoming traffic. The drunkenness has increased beyond losing inhibitions, to a general stupor: a loss of sensibilities and inability to stay in the correct lane! (See Judges 17:6 & 21:25 – “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”) The next step is either complete spiritual unconsciousness and a crash-course set for a very hard place, or a spiritual “awakening”, beginning in Christ’s Church.

How do we begin by recognizing the stupor within? How do we get back “in-tune” with God’s Will?

First, we need to recognize the obvious Truth of God’s Design: “…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19-20)

Second, we need to come to a recognition of what God’s Word, His perfectly-preserved revelation for mankind, actually says, on Faith and Life-Practice! “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

Finally, we need to recognize the discrepancies and disconnect between what is proclaimed from His Word and what our behavior reveals! As Francis Chan has observed, “Each week, congregations worship the God of the universe and hear the Word of God proclaimed with all of its implications; but as the sanctuary empties, conversations revolve around sports, entertainment, and the weather. ‘Are you watching the game this afternoon?’ ‘The weather has sure been nice, hasn’t it?’ “Did you see that new Star Wars movie? Wow!’” Is there any real surprise that the American church has a noticeable lack of the presence and power of God? As one Christian leader remarked, “If God is not in church, do I have to go?” We need to wake up from our stupor and recognize the implications of what we say we believe! To us is given the command from Romans 12:2 – “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.”

Then, we are given this promise in Ephesians 4:14-15, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Sadly, some will read this and not really care, preferring the current comforts of the way things are, over the danger that is encroaching on every side. But for those who have awakened with the reality of how far out of tune we’ve become and a conviction to act on it, we are inspired to be part of the solution (Matthew 5:13-14), and help those around us waken up as well!

A Litmus Test for Our Church: Have you grown numb in your response to the onslaught of terror and Christian Persecution in the World? Then join me in prayer and study in His Word, reconnecting to the Tune of Life, our spiritual source of sustenance, which tunes our hearts to hear and understand His Will.