The sounding of a bell can mean a lot of things, but one thing is certain, it is meant to garner our attention. The school bell means school begins or ends, or classes need to be changed, but always it is meant to require attention and action. In a monastery the sounding is a call to prayer with “all speed.” A dinner bell at a ranch or large sprawling home means “wash up and come eat.” I bet you can think of an example in your childhood where a bell was meant to be obeyed and not ignored.
God rings few audible bells, except the beautiful music I hear outside my window from the neighboring churches. But, God does call us to pay attention – to recognize there’s no place for you at this moment than to be here and to be alert and attentive to his presence. He calls us to listen with more than our ears, but to have attentive hearts, eyes, noises, and feelings. We find his presence in the smell of honeysuckle, or in the smile of a young child, or in a thousand other ways.
We find God in every moment of our lives, clearly, like a ringing bell.
Leave a Reply +