No Red Phone Needed

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While Dr. Strangelove introduced the concept of a ‘red phone’ on the President’s desk that connected the White House to the Kremlin back in the day, an examination of public historical records (for I am quite sure especially on matters as sensitive as this not everything is - nor should be - publicly disclosed) shows this was nothing but a work of Hollywood. Per our friends at Smithsonian Magazine, in the Kennedy administration there was instituted a (for the times) ‘direct’ radiotelegraph circuit in the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Of course, as technology has evolved over the years, this direct connection transformed. 

There are times when I’ve envisioned having a ‘red phone’ on my desk that serves as a ‘drop line’ to God. I’d like to make sure I’m getting a direct, uninterrupted, unfiltered word to - and from - the “Man Upstairs.” (Yes, I understand the theological fallacy of thinking there is a need for such a thing, but I’m only human.)

Throughout scripture, we see people wrestling with a desire to hear God and for God to hear them. Along with many cases where people seem to be wondering where is God, we encounter testimony such as these brief verses from Psalm 86:5-7, which is as follows:

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.

Notice the Psalmist’s absolute confidence in the Lord’s being there to hear his cry, rooting his trust and confidence in God’s essence - one who is good, forgiving, and abounding in steadfast love to all who call. What I find truly inspirational about this is the Psalmist’s confidence is not based on any outcome, nor is it based on any emotions within the Psalmist. No, it is rooted in God’s nature.

Of course, throughout the years, it is not quite that simple, is it? Or is it?

One thing I have learned over and over is that I can rarely look back over life and see not-insignificant decisions I’ve made, things I’ve said, and actions I’ve taken, in the throes of a highly emotional situation that worked out as well as they might have with a little bit more processing and judiciousness.

That’s where I think the genius of these words from the Psalmist might be most helpful - rather than basing our faith in God primarily on emotions, let us instead be people who are rooted and grounded because of our solid belief in the goodness and grace of God’s nature.

Back to the ‘red phone’ thing for a minute - the article I read from Smithsonian Magazine also indicated that as of the time of writing, the current system is tested hourly, 24 hours a day, to ensure it is working exactly as it should so it is always available in an emergency.

Maybe, just maybe, we might find helpful Paul’s admonition to pray without ceasing so that we are constantly reassured of God’s attentiveness to our deepest desires and longings, no matter the situation.