Recently there was a potentially significant fire somewhat near my home. I have an app on my phone
called “Watch Duty”, and it started “binging” out notifications. It announced how many fire trucks and
other emergency vehicles were being dispatched to the area. Then it sent out an evacuation warning
for a specific area, followed by an actual evacuation order.
Over a few hours, my phone kept “binging” out alerts until finally it declared the evacuation orders
lifted and the conditions controlled. The notifications stopped.
I have several notifications set up on my phone. Some alert me to danger like “Watch Duty,” but
others just remind me about appointments on my calendar, a new message or a missed call.
Some notifications make a specific noise that I recognize. Others include a flashing light that is hard
to ignore. Some are just a visual message that encourages me to take an action. Bottom line, a
notification helps me stay informed.
Or not.
Sometimes, I just get weary of such an inanimate object bugging me. So, I turn off the notifications
and I blithefully wander through my day UNINFORMED of changes, announcements or warnings that
might have helped me navigate my day.
As I thought about those phone notifications, I couldn’t help but think about a spiritual equivalent of
sorts. Our Bible can and should provide all kinds of notifications for our daily life.
Psalm 119:130 states that “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the
simple.” That concept of “unfolding” carries the idea of a “pop up” of sorts. It is “an active personal
encounter of divine illumination.” (Bible Hub)
In John 14:26, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will remind us of all things. His “notifications” will
encourage, confront, bless and support our lives. In Hebrews, Paul reminds us that the Word of God
is living and active. As we make decisions, chose our words, confront our sin, encourage those
around us, those notification lights start blinking. And we ought to pay attention.
We ought to keep the alerts and messages coming. Biblical notifications can keep us headed in the
right direction.
But here’s the thing. We must read, study, and memorize scripture for a notification to work. There
won’t be an alert if we haven’t “hid God’s Word in our heart.” We won’t avoid a sin if we haven’t setup
a “spiritual signal” to follow. Those “Godly” memos about choices and attitudes must be put into
place ahead of time. Spiritual notifications must be turned on.
So, this week, how about we all keep our personal notifications dialed up and our divine alerts set on
high volume. As followers of Jesus, we know what the convictions of the Holy Spirit “sound” like. We
know what the light of His direction looks like. We know His voice.
So, let’s pay attention to those spiritual notifications!