"Static" (by Jason Underwood)

 This Youth Story comes to us from Pastor Jason Underwood originally posted on his youth blog
When I say static what comes to mind? A Busted TV set?, radio noise? The worst feeling in the world is when you are ready to watch your favorite show, or you are tuning to your favorite station and all you hear is static or white noise.  I believe that there is static in our everyday lives that keeps us from hearing the voice of God the way that He intends.  It can come in all shapes, sizes and forms.  Static in our lives is anything that keeps us from seeing or hearing the clear picture of God.

Back in the day we had those old bunny ears on our TV sets and when the static would creep in we would do all sorts of things to fix the picture.  We would move them higher or throw tin foil on them, anything that would gain us access to the clear picture we were seeking.
When it comes to our communication with God, many things in life create static.  We often say that we struggle to hear Gods voice when in fact it is not that God is not speaking, it is that we can not hear Him over the things in life that we allow to make more noise.
The second question is what do we do when we do hear His voice? Imagine your own son coming to you and saying, "Father, please speak to me. What would you have me do?" You respond, "I would like you to clean your room." Thrilled at the sound of your voice, the child goes off, but does not clean the room. Later, he approaches again, "Father, please disclose your will to your humble child." You tell him again, "Go clean your room." Pleased, he withdraws himself again, but does not do what you asked. Yet again, your son comes to you, "Oh great father, I long to do your bidding! Grant me the favor of your wisdom and direction." What would you do at this point? We play that game with God often, we see the direction he has for us or we hear his voice and choose to not follow the course he has laid out for us.
Check out what Isaiah 55 says:
Isaiah 55

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;

listen, that you may live.

I will make an everlasting covenant with you

He says it clear as possible, The things of this world do not satisfy us, the static in our lives will fail us and let us down.  The only thing that will bring us true substance is from Him.  "Listen that you may live".  Real life comes when we allow ourselves to hear from God.

Can you hear Him?

I want to thank Jason for allowing us to share his story.
You can find Pastor Jason on twitter  @JasonUnderwood