Communication

Matthew 25:5 ESV

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

It was summer in Englewood, and a baby wouldn’t stop crying. The parents would walk, taking turns, walking circles around the room. A few brief moments is all that would be afforded to the blissful sound of silence. Then she would wake and once again the laps would begin. Being summer in Englewood, Colorado the windows were open at night, the grandmotherly neighbor thought she could do better, told Kelly’s mom that she would handle it, “just go take a nap”. The neighbor soon gave up in dejected failure and gave her back to her mother. She had given my mother-in-law a good nap, but getting this colic-ee baby to sleep was also beyond her.

When you get a child that won’t sleep, you try anything. The slow hum of fan always running, may be the key to unlocking the mythical nights sleep. And so, it does, or it simply covers the child’s fusing. That slow hum of a fan quickly drowns out other noises and lulls children and adults alike into lethargic sleep.

As the Ten Virgins of Jesus’s parable waited, they ALL fell asleep. The cool night air, the beauty of the stars, the long day’s labor, all provided ample effect, and brought all of them to slumber, even the excitement of the moment could not keep them awake. Wise and foolish alike slept at this time. The difference only came when they were awakened. When they finally realized the moment was at hand and then the truth of who was wise and who was foolish became apparent. The fools would try as quickly as they could to make amends for their folly, but to no avail. The time was past and the bridegroom did not know them.

The ever-present beat of news, is taking its effect. Slowly and surly we are not hearing it anymore. The drone of the fan quickly becomes background noise, covering all those details we should pay attention to but don’t want to hear. Weather it be Fox or MSNBC the effect of constant supply has brought lethargy upon us. As barriers to communication are stripped away we are seeing the heights to which human beings are able to achieve, and we start to wonder what we aren’t capable of. Is there anything we can’t do given enough time?

That is not the first time that question has been asked. God, seeing the tower and noted that “nothing they propose to do will now be impossible for them.” (Genesis 11:6) Was it for their good that God hindered communication? Looking around at our current state, I am assured it is. As the constant communication has drowned out blessings. As the constant beat of news, has left no time to think, networks have had to put talking heads on to tell you what to think. Constant communication without a break. Requires a disruption.

As all of us have been lulled to sleep, it’s easier. It is hard work to think through the issues of the day, thinking biblically about these things. Yet, this is the work of the wise. To trim their lamps and given light in the evening, when light has gone out. To speak truth into the darkness.

CRUCE, DUM SPIRO, FIDO