Clutter that Complicates

Do you have a problem with clutter? The kind I’m talking about is what Webster defines as “A confused mass of disorder.” Many people suffer from it and it’s the one thing that keeps us from experiencing God’s best--which is hearing Him. One only needs to look at the words of Jesus where He stated “My sheep hear my voice” to know that God wants to talk to us. However our hearing can be greatly hindered by clutter. Peter Lord states, “The road to effective communication with God is pitted and pebbled with obstacles and mined with dangerous deceptions that can cause you to stumble and fall.”  That’s why it is so important that we hear and failing to do so presents great vulnerability.  Because of this, what is the clutter that we wrestle with? To some it is unbelief. Many doubt that God would ever have a desire to talk to them. That being the case He could scream and they would never hear. Others are caught up in the state of busyness. They find themselves constantly overcommitted and on the run.  Their subconscious motto is “If God has anything to say He had better hurry because there are things to do and places to go.” This problem seemed to be the one that Martha wrestled with while entertaining Jesus in her home. It was a struggle that eventually taught her God’s greatest desire is to be heard--not served.  Even more so many suffer from the clutter of distraction. It may be the external sound of noise or the internal burden of guilt, the tantalizing grip of fear, the chalice of anger or the cesspool of sorrow. Multitudes fail to hear God because these distractions constantly stand in the way. Remember, it was fear and sorrow that caused the beloved sisters, Mary and Martha, not to hear the Lord regarding the death of their brother, Lazarus. In order to deal with the culprit of clutter we must consistently remain focused. To use the words of Peter Lord again, “There is never a time in this pilgrimage when focusing on him is not necessary.” The more we engage in this exercise the more sensitive we become to God’s voice. The clutter will turn to clarity and we will be able to say as did the young Samuel, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.”