Hey, Siri!

I find myself saying this several times a day when I want to know the answer to something or to text a friend. It’s so convenient. (I recently heard about a little boy who did his math homework with Alexa. He got it done quickly!)

Yesterday I had an interesting experience. While checking on my friend’s cats while she’s on a trip, I had other voices to contend with. She had given me lessons on them before she left.

“Alexa, I’m home!” I’m supposed to say when I want the lights to come on in the living room. And Alexa answers me! And when I’m leaving, I need to tell her that so she will turn off the lights.

But in the bedroom, I have to talk to “Echo.” I can’t remember what I’m supposed to say to her/him.

Yesterday I found myself standing in the middle of the house thinking about who I need to talk to — Siri, Alexa, or Echo. It was confusing! It prompted me to think about how often I “talk” to technological voices every day!

Do you realize how often we hear competing voices in our everyday world? In the “real world,” these voices talk to ME without being prompted! They seem to be competing for my attention. I realize I need to be intentional about which ones I listen to.

For instance, the “voice” saying, “You should try on that blouse. It’s so pretty” is heard when I walk in the mall for exercise. (I know — I could stop walking in the mall, but it’s always the perfect temperature!)

The ones saying, “Eat here!” when I drive down the street on my way to work. They are often tempting, but I’m trying to eat healthier.

Of course, there are more serious voice opportunities in our lives, like when we are driving and people aren’t being very nice. It’s so tempting to reciprocate.

Did you realize the Bible gives us direction on who to listen to?

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

When I focus on listening to the Holy Spirit, the various “voices” in my day are quieter, or even non-existent. It’s much more peaceful!

So the next time I ask Siri or Alexa for something, I’ll be reminded that the Holy Spirit is waiting for me to tune in to Him, whether asking a question or listening for an answer.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

In Humboldt, Tennessee, every spring there is a festival where thousands of people come to the small town for parades and other events. As part of that, a local family provides a Christian concert for the community. It often sells out, as the bands are well-known. One year the family gave us tickets to attend. It came along with the opportunity to go backstage before the concert to meet the band. Of course, this was very exciting!

Our sons had a good friend, Daniel, who didn’t have a ticket to the concert. It was disappointing to Colin and Christopher, as well as Daniel, when he had to stay home while we went to the concert.

But at the very last minute, there was an extra ticket! The boys called Daniel and told him we could pick him up on the way to the concert. When we arrived at the church, we were led down the aisle of the packed sanctuary to the backstage door. His sister had arrived early and had an aisle seat, since she had planned ahead and bought a ticket. As we passed her, the look on her face as she saw her brother was, “What are you doing here?”

He waved at her.

Not only did he get to go to the concert, he got to meet the band members backstage! The incident reminded me of how we are God’s children and he loves giving us gifts. Sometimes he surprises us with things we cannot even imagine he would do!

Even though we are undeserving of his blessings, God still gives them to us because we are his children and he loves us.

“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him?” (Matthew 7:11, NLT)

Can you think of a time when God has surprised you by giving you something unexpected? We may not deserve them, but God loves us and blesses us any way.