Can You Hear Me Now?

Do you remember that old phone commercial, where the guy would walk around testing his cell phone signal. “Can you hear me now? Good.” That was the famous line. 

He was so confident in his cell phone service and reception. He could be outside on the porch, in the mountains, on a boat in the middle of the ocean – it really didn’t matter. Because he knew regardless of his location, he would always be able to pick up a signal. “Can you hear me now? Good.”  

Personally, I grew up in the days of flip phones and call waiting. Where we had to purchase ring-back tones to look cool. And trust me, my little Kyocera flip phone with the antenna wouldn’t be able to handle the bandwidth of today’s technology. But thankfully, I have since upgraded…many times! Lol. 

On one evening recently, I was reminded of my appreciation for the glow-up (from Kyocera to iPhone) and technology when I got home. The Internet was down due to technical issues in my neighborhood. Okay, no sweat. I have been without the Internet before.

I guess I was a little too calm, because the moment I went to use the mobile data on my phone, I realized that wasn’t working either. Hold up, we are still in (semi-)quarantine. I have no Internet and my phone is acting funky. 

Sound the alarm! Houston, we have a problem. I started unplugging cables. I tried rebooting my phone. Nothing! I called one of my friends to get some help finding numbers to contact for customer service. Yet even with that, I got put through to an automated system which told me that I could call back the next day.  

I was irritated, tired and immediately began to think of the worst possible outcomes: How will I log on for work tomorrow? What if something happens to my phone and I can’t make an emergency call? How am I going to resolve these technology issues? Ugh, I don’t have time for this! 

Realizing my frustration wasn’t helping the situation, I went in the kitchen and began washing dishes. And that’s when God started speaking: “My child, there are some people that never get connected. They never hear or listen to Me. How frustrated would you be if you couldn’t hear My voice?” 

Whelp. I didn’t have an answer. I was humbled and speechless. I pondered on that the rest of that night and week. To be honest, I am still chewing on those words. 

What about the people that never hear the truth about Jesus? What about those who never hear about the love of Our Heavenly Father? 

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17, NKJV

For weeks, I pondered on this scripture. I have read it time and time again, but this time it hit a little bit different. But I wasn’t sure exactly why. 

In order for people to be exposed to the truth, they must first hear the truth. They can’t receive someone or something that they have never heard about. Eventually, it started to click for me: “Kenda, if you avoid speaking, then the truth cannot be heard.” 

I started thinking about all the times I have avoided telling the truth; but more importantly, I pondered on WHY I avoided it. I was afraid I would offend or lose someone close. I was afraid I would be rejected or ostracized for saying something in absolute contrast to the status quo. I was afraid…

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18, NKJV

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV

The truth will challenge people before it changes them. Real agape love is always, always, ALWAYS coupled with God’s truth. Not your interpretation of the truth or your version of it…no, GOD’S TRUTH! 

A personal lesson: Do not fear or reverence people more than God. Fear will have you holding out on something that people’s lives are depending on. Yes, you read that right – people’s lives. 

Right now, more than ever, people are in need of God’s love and truth. If we don’t share it, how will they hear it? 

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:14, NKJV

It is time for us to repent for agreeing with fear. It is time for us to stand firm in the truth and speak it. We cannot be silent or waver under pressure. 

Will there be some people that refuse to listen? Sure. Will there be some whose hearts are waxed cold, and whose ears are spiritually dull? Yep, absolutely. 

But like Jesus, I am after just one. One person’s salvation, healing, breakthrough, or encouragement is just on the other side of me opening my mouth to speak the truth. That one will turn into a beautiful harvest. So to me, just one is worth it. 

God is speaking. He wants HIS truth to be heard.

Can you hear me now? Good. 

Jesus said: What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Matthew 18:12-13, NKJV

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’

Romans 10:15, NKJV