Are You Texting God?

          Have you noticed we are texting more and more? Or maybe it is just me because I have three sons who prefer text over talking. I also have women friends, my age (35, give or take ) who I only ever have text conversations with. Some of these are long paragraphs of information, some using correct grammar, some using a sort of abbreviated, no capitals, no punctuation, hybrid English. My actual phone conversations, where we are talking, are getting fewer and fewer. Even my Mom texts me more now. (Not that there is anything wrong with that Mom.) The point is, we seem to text more than we talk anymore.

     Don’t get me wrong, I like text –never while driving, of course –but texting has its place. Texting is great for sending and receiving information.

“Can you pick up some milk?”

“Please let the dogs out when you get home from school.”

“Let’s meet at Panera at 11:30.” 

I don’t know about you, but I have also received some long, loooooong detailed paragraphs of text telling me a personal or important story. Most of these would have been better as an actual conversation, on the phone or in person. I never know how to respond. I would like to call the person and talk to them, especially if they are describing a problem or want advice. But, because they text(ed) me first, I feel obligated to text back, thinking this is their preferred mode of dialogue.

On the phone, talking conversations or in-person conversations are much better for building friendships, showing care and genuine interest, sharing dreams, difficulties and life with people. IMHO (in my humble opinion) texts should be relegated to ‘information’ and actual talking should be for ‘conversation.’

In our text dominated world, is that what we do with prayer as well? Do we pray and expect God to send short, concise, immediate answers to our requests?

“God, should I take job A or job B?” 

A

   

“That person hurt me, should I hold a grudge or forgive?”

Forgive 

“Lord, he’s cute, should I go out with him, even though he is not a believer?”

No

God wants to have a relationship with us more than He wants to give out information. What good is the information or answers without a real, personal relationship with Him?

If we want to hear God, we need to pursue a personal relationship with Him, not just text Him questions about our immediate needs. God loves us and made us for relationships, both with Him and with others.

I know texting is here to stay, and I like the convenience as much as everyone else. When it comes to prayer, however, the God of the universe, the one who loves us more than anyone, wants to have a real, personal, communicative relationship with us. If we want to hear God we need to invest the time and effort it takes to have real conversations. When we do, it is always worth it.

John 15:15 “I have called you friends  . . .”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

John 13:35 “Love one another even as I have loved you.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t panic. I am with you. There’s no need to fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I will hold you steady, keeping a firm grip on you.”

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How about you? Do you ever feel like you are texting God for answers instead of pursuing a personal relationship with Him?

This is day 27 in the series about Hearing God. To read the other posts in this series, click the links below.

Day 1: Take Off Your Sandals
Day 2:  God in the Grocery Store
Day 3:  God in the Grocery Store - Part2
Day 4:  Peeking During Prayer
Day 5:  How Do We Know God's Voice?
Day 6:  A Young Mom, Toddler Toys and Hearing God
Day 7:  Hearing God When Making Decisions
Day 8:  Lining Up Those Ducks
Day 9:   Hearing God for Our Kids
Day 10: God or Genie in a Bottle?
Day 11: The Perfect Day to Hear God
Day 12: Hearing God in a Crisis
Day 13:  7 Ways to Test an Impression
Day 14:  Remote Assignment
Day 15:  God's Silence
Day 16:  Hearing God While Dating
Day 17:  Hearing God Bible Verses
Day 18:  What Others Say About Hearing God
Day 19:  Hearing God Through Distractions
Day 20:  Hearing God as a Child
Day 21:  Hearing God in Confusion
Day 22:  Hearing God's Encouraging Voice
Day 23:  Hearing God on a Tractor
Day 24:  An Email Confirmation
Day 25:  Do You Really Want to Hear From God?
Day 26:  Why Hear God?
Day 27:
Day 28:
Day 29:
Day 30:  Desperate to Hear God
Day 31:  Desperate to Hear God (Part 2)