Morse Code And Meditation

Consider this picture as you read the following story.

There once was a former army morse code operator who was looking for a job. One day while looking in the paper for a job, he saw an ad "Morse Code Operator wanted, for appointment call…." He quickly picked up his phone, and called and made an appointment. He was told to come in at a relatively early hour in the morning in a few days.

The day arrived and the operator hopeful walked into the office, dressed in his best suit and tie, and walked up to the secretary. "I'm here for the interview for morse code operator!" he proudly said. The secretary looked up, smiled, and asked him to "take a seat with the others." Puzzled he turns around and sees 3 men men sitting in chairs, dressed in a suit and tie.

As he takes his seat he asks the men how long they've been sitting there. The first man has been waiting for 45 minutes and was reading the paper, the second man had been waiting for 30 minutes and was reviewing his interview notes, the third man had been waiting for 15 minutes, and was nervously sitting there. As our friend took his seat he decided to calm himself down, and clear his mind.

After a few minutes he stepped up to the secretaries desk and asked for a paper and pen. The other men glanced up, and then resumed their respective activities. A few minutes later our friend stood up and marched into the office of the interviewer. The manager stood up, and asked him what he was doing in his office. Our friend showed him his notes, and the man shook his hand and said "congratulations, you've got the job."

When the hiring manager stepped outside his office to announce that the other perspective employees could go home, they were upset and asked why they weren't hired! They had never gotten their interview!

Calmly the hiring manager said, "The entire time you've been sitting out here a message has been broadcast via morse-code: 'If you can hear this, come into my office, you've got the job.' All of you had equal opportunities to translate, all of you had the training, and the skills, but not one of you took the time to be still and listen. Therefore, none of you got the job. You're all dismissed."

This story illustrates a very powerful truth: if we don't listen for the still small voice, we won't hear it. When Christ comes we'll be among those who "never knew [him]." The injunction to "Be still and know that I am God" is a commandment. (And it's not just in the Old Testament! It's a commandment in the Doctrine and Covenants as well.)

I'm sure there are numerous reasons why this is, first off, the world is going to get CRAZY, and if we don't anchor ourselves into him, then we'll won't survive the storm. The second is more subtle i think, by becoming still, we allow ourselves to really surrender everything to the Savior, and let him make changes in us for our benefit.

John 10:27 says "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (NIV) Matthew 7:22-23 says something quite chilling. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in they name done many wonderful works? And I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Did you notice how often they said that they did a wonderful work "in thy name"? What is the only church that has Jesus Christ's name on it? I've seen plenty of Baptists, and Methodists, and sects of Christianity, but I'm only aware of one church that bears the name of Jesus Christ: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Many of members of the LDS Church believe that because they're called, (or got the job interview appointment, and were well qualified, as was the case in the story above), that they'll be chosen. Unfortunately it doesn't work like that! "...Many are called, but few are chosen." as the scriptures declare. The problem? "Their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world…." The solution? Spend time in stillness, and give your heart a chance to let go of the things of this world.

What will happen if you do? The scriptures will open up to you in a way that they've never done before. The words of the prophets will make more sense, and you'll feel an increase of peace in times of difficulty. Your ability to regulate your emotions will be enhanced, and you'll be more calm in times of relative chaos. Also, one of my favorite blessings, all things will begin to be revealed to you. 2 Nephi 27: 11 says of the last days, "And all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the ends of the earth." Some people think this will happen in General Conference, but it won't. General Conference has to be the standard to the world, the ensign, the constant unchanging message and invitation to all the peoples of the world. No, this says it will be revealed to the "children of men" not just the prophets or apostles, or yogis, or sages, or mystics.  It will be direct, straight to us, from God to man.

The twelve steps teach it, Oprah suggests it, the prophets have commanded it, and the warnings for not doing it are unmistakably clear! Meditate. Take time each day to be still: still your body, mind, spirit and emotions. (Don't still your heart-beat otherwise you'll die, and I don't want that on my head.) And if you don't know how to do this, ask God to teach you! (That's how i had to learn) If you do this with the pray of knowing God, i promise that you'll get that! I have come to know and love God better through my daily time in stillness. I've become a better disciple of Christ. Love reigns in my home, and in my heart, and when i step out of bounds, i recognize it, and quickly hop back on the path of love, and devotion. It might not make you perfect overnight, but it will certainly transform and change you life!  As always, i love comments, so feel free to share your thoughts! 

It is my hope to meet you as we travel the road of happy destiny (hopefully you'll be meditating),

until then, happy meditating, and have a wonderful life!