What’s Up with Thinkin Bout It
With Vince Hefner, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Cherryville
When I was in college a movie came out entitled, “The Dead Zone.” It was about a man who was involved in a car accident and was in a coma for several years. When he awoke from his coma, he quickly realized that several things had changed. First, the VW Bug that he was driving was totaled. Second, his girlfriend had given up on him and had married another man. Third, whenever he touched someone he could see their future! At first glance, this looked like a pretty good deal, but as the movie progressed he saw some dark things in the future for certain people. However, if they listened to him, they could change their future, but the choice was up to them. It was an interesting science fiction movie that ranks in my top 50 movies.
These days when I hear the term “Dead Zone,” I do not think about the movie, but a specific place when you try to make a cell phone call. Most of us travel in the same circles, and if we talk on our cell phones in our automobiles (something we shouldn’t do) we will come to a place and tell whoever we are talking to, “I might lose you during this call, because I am heading into a ‘dead zone.’” Even in your home or workplace, if you make enough cell phone calls, you know the places that do not pick up reception because it is a “dead zone.” Everybody that uses a cell phone knows all too well about the dreaded “dead zone.” I have never personally done this, but I have heard of people who receive calls on their cell phones and don’t want to talk to the person calling and tell them that they are headed to a “dead zone” so don’t be surprised if they lose connection. After a few seconds they will act like they can’t hear the person on the other end of the phone call, then hang up. If the phone rings they will not answer it. Can you believe the nerve of these people!
The idea of being in a place where you cannot be heard is a scary one. All you can do is wait until you are in a different place where the reception is available. At the same time, the thought of someone not being able to get in touch with you is also a miserable feeling. Have you ever received an important call only to lose reception right before the person was going to tell you some important information? As a parent my kids have called me several times to tell me something I didn’t want to hear or something they wanted to do that was questionable. Before I could respond they would say, “Dad, you’re breaking up, I think I’m in a dead zone, if we lose connection don’t worry…click, click, and then silence. It is at that time I ask myself, did my kid just fake a “dead zone?” I call back but the phone goes directly to their voice mail. The next time one of them asks me for something, either on the phone or face to face, I believe I am going to say, “I’m sorry, I believe you are in a “dead zone,” and if we lose connection, don’t worry…”
It is wonderful to know that we are never in a “dead zone” with God. No matter where we find ourselves on this earth, or what we have been doing, God wants to hear from us. Romans 8:38-39 tells us, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The next time you feel yourself in a spiritual “dead zone” just remember God’s promise to His children.
Remember, Don’t Give In To Sin. Think About It!
