I was the first kid in my street to own a cassette tape recorder. I must
have liked the sound of my own voice a lot because that year my hobby was
recording stories I made up. The little black machine soaked up all the tales I
contrived instead of paying attention in math class. Maybe it’s to blame for
my poor algebra skills.
It was long before television came to South Africa so most people listened to radio dramas. Given a good plot, some mood music and realistic sound effects it is amazing what you can "see" through your ears. Never underestimate the creative powers of your imagination. A long forgotten sound can transport you instantly back to a happy childhood scene. I think we store or hearing memories very close to our emotions.
My stories always had sound effects. Flick a wooden ruler on the edge of
a table and you have a machine gun. Cellophane wrapping becomes a raging fire or
an army marching. What comes to mind when you hear a creaking door hinge? Even
fingers rhythmically drumming on your desk can become a galloping horse. It’s
fun to be creative with sound effects.
Last year I listened to many of President Regan's radio talks. In the
late 70s he recorded a daily commentary on life, politics, heroes and villains.
His talk entitled "Water on a Board" stirred old memories.
A radio drama sound engineer was tasked to create the sound of water
dripping onto a board. The man was stumped. He'd tried all the tricks he knew.
Rice onto a card, dropping peas from his hand, nothing would do it.
One day in desperation he tried pouring water onto a board! It was
amazing - it sounded just like water dropping onto a board. "Duh!" you
say. Not so quick friend. You'll be surprised how many substitutes we'll try before we
embrace the real thing.
In the very center of your life there's a spiritual vacuum. We are all
born with it. God made that inner yearning so that we'd use it to turn to Him.
It’s an unspoken hunger that can only be satisfied when the soul finds lasting
and daily relationship with its Creator.
The trouble is that like the soundman we try everything else first. Fame,
luxury, power and pleasure will not make that little ache go away. Travel won't
do it and nor will education. Some try lying to themselves and with daily
positive self-talk they pretend that it’s gone for good. Even relationships
with people doesn't make that desire quit.
Isn't it time you tried water on a board? I don't mean church attendance
and I'm not talking about religious duties. Isn’t it time you tried the real
thing? God promises that once you have taken the faith step to acknowledge His
existence He will be found by those who diligently seek Him.
St. Augustine claimed: "We are restless until we find our rest in
Thee." He was speaking from
experience. Success as a lawyer in Rome didn't fill the gap. Nor did the wild
parties, the concubine he kept at home or the pursuit of learning. In his own
words: “from
19 to 28, we went on seduced and seducing, deceived and deceiving, in divers
lusts. Here proud, there superstitious, everywhere vain! Striving after the
emptiness of popular fame.”
One day a Bible verse in Paul’s letter to the Romans arrested him. This
unlikely candidate turned to the reality of his soul’s hunger for God. His
life was changed. He became one of Christianity’s great scholars. The simple
prayer “Lord, forgive my sins and come into my heart” works wonders in the
life of the one who is done with substitutes for “water on a board.”
Get real with God today.