Sound Effects

The little black machine soaked up all the tales I contrived instead of paying attention in math class. Maybe it’s to blame for my poor algebra skills.

It was long before television came to South Africa so most people listened to radio dramas. Given a good plot, some mood music and realistic sound effects it is amazing what you can "see" through your ears.

Never underestimate the creative powers of your imagination. A long forgotten sound can transport you instantly back to a happy childhood scene. I think we store or hearing memories very close to our emotions.

My stories always had sound effects. Flick a wooden ruler on the edge of a table and you have a machine gun. Cellophane wrapping becomes a raging fire or an army marching. What comes to mind when you hear a creaking door hinge? Even fingers rhythmically drumming on your desk can become a galloping horse. It’s fun to be creative with sound effects.

Last year I listened to many of President Regan's radio talks. In the late 70s he recorded a daily commentary on life, politics, heroes and villains. His talk entitled "Water on a Board" stirred old memories.

A radio drama sound engineer was tasked to create the sound of water dripping onto a board. The man was stumped. He'd tried all the tricks he knew. Rice onto a card, dropping peas from his hand, nothing would do it.

One day in desperation he tried pouring water onto a board! It was amazing - it sounded just like water dropping onto a board.

"Duh!" you say. Not so quick friend. You'll be surprised how many substitutes we'll try before we embrace the real thing.

In the very center of your life there's a spiritual vacuum. We are all born with it. God made that inner yearning so that we'd use it to turn to Him. It’s an unspoken hunger that can only be satisfied when the soul finds lasting and daily relationship with its Creator.

The trouble is that like the soundman we try everything else first. Fame, luxury, power and pleasure will not make that little ache go away. Travel won't do it and nor will education.

Some try lying to themselves and with daily positive self-talk they pretend that it’s gone for good. Even relationships with people doesn't make that desire quit.

Isn't it time you tried water on a board? I don't mean church attendance and I'm not talking about religious duties.

Isn’t it time you tried the real thing? God promises that once you have taken the faith step to acknowledge His existence He will be found by those who diligently seek Him.

St. Augustine claimed: "We are restless until we find our rest in Thee." He was speaking from experience. Success as a lawyer in Rome didn't fill the gap. Nor did the wild parties, the concubine he kept at home or the pursuit of learning. In his own words: “from 19 to 28, we went on seduced and seducing, deceived and deceiving, in divers lusts. Here proud, there superstitious, everywhere vain! Striving after the emptiness of popular fame.”

One day a Bible verse in Paul’s letter to the Romans arrested him. This unlikely candidate turned to the reality of his soul’s hunger for God. His life was changed. He became one of Christianity’s great scholars.

The simple prayer “Lord, forgive my sins and come into my heart” works wonders in the life of the one who is done with substitutes for “water on a board.”

Get real with God today.