A Quest For Clarity

A Quest for Clarity

How do you listen to your favorite music? Do you slide a black vinyl record out of its paper sleeve, carefully placing it on a turntable and setting the needle on the edge? Probably not. Although Thomas Edison’s phonograph set the standard for audio excellence for nearly a century, humanity’s quest for the crispest, clearest, most lifelike music has led to big changes.

Vinyl records crackled and skipped. So you can imagine the rejoicing when audiocassettes came along. Throughout the 1970s, a famous ad campaign for one brand even asked, “Is it live, or is it Memorex?” Music fans loved the improved sound quality and portability. After all, have you ever tried to boogie on roller skates while carrying a forty-pound turntable? But wait . . . that wasn’t good enough.

Cassette tapes and other “magnetic media” had their own limitations, so in the mid-80s, we went digital with compact discs. Sharper. Cleaner. Even more lifelike. But once again, the format would become a stepping-stone. To enhance sonic clarity, the recording industry came up with digital downloads. Short of piping a playlist directly into your brain, music can’t get much clearer or more convenient than that.

As much effort as people have put into hearing music more clearly, we don’t seem nearly as interested in getting a pure, clear signal from God. That’s a shame, because he wants to connect with us, and he places high value on our hearing and obeying him. First Samuel 15:22 says, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice.” Spiritually, are things a little muffled or scratchy in your life? If so, strive for something better. Spend more time praying and reading the Bible. Listen more closely. The difference could be like going from vinyl records to digital downloads.

Daddy-Daughter Time

On a scale of one to ten, how clearly are you hearing from God right now? Where on that scale would you like to be? Discuss practical things you can do to enhance the quality of interaction with your heavenly Father.

If you own music in the various formats mentioned above, listen to the differences in audio quality together. Did you know The Beatles first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on this date in 1964? That event, viewed by nearly half of all Americans, changed music forever. Watch it on YouTube.

What’s The Word?

Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”   1 Samuel 15:22