The noise has nearly driven me to the edge.
Imagine every ten seconds your smoke detector going off, or a cricket chirping and you can’t reach it, or the timer on your oven dinging and you can’t turn it off. Every ten seconds.
For three days now, I’ve been experiencing such madness. The alarm on our elevator at work is signaling the phone line inside isn’t working. I failed miserably today, attempting to be patient waiting for the repair.
So, doing my best to drown out the noise, I turned on music in my office, and cranked it up a notch or two. I even resorted to shutting my office door. To no avail, I still could hear the beeping.
And, I will return to the beeping tomorrow.
Yes, there are worse things. No, this wasn’t anyone’s fault (except maybe the construction worker who cut the phone line). Yes, I will survive without jumping off the edge where the beeping has led me to. Really, little beeps are not big deal.
But these never-ending beeps got me thinking today. They reminded me of all the noise that’s in this world. At first we don’t like the noise. After hearing it continuously, we get used to its sound, and barely pay attention to it anymore. Or we try to drown out the noise with other noises, with louder noises. We may try to shut our doors or plug our ears. But the noise remains.
The only way we can get rid of the noise is to remove ourselves from it. Now that I’m at home, I no longer hear the beeping at the office. (Thank you, Jesus!) All I hear is quiet. I have removed myself.
Friend, is the world’s noise getting to you, like it is to me? Are voices clamoring for your attention? What about the threats of violence, anger, and hatred that demand to be heard? Is there no such thing as peace and quiet in life right now? Is everything getting louder and louder?
It may be time to escape the noise, and slip away to a more peace-filled place.
A place where God is waiting.
…but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray. Luke 5:16 NCV
The noise will still try to distract us. But, Jesus gives us the secret…
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” Matthew 6:6 MSG
Ahhh… His grace.
The noise may remain, but we don’t have to listen to it. I pray we never let the noise seep into our souls. As we experience those peace-filled times, tucked away with our Creator, I pray the desire to return there often grows within us.
We may not be able to stop the alarms beeping, or the world screaming, but we have the means of escape. Our souls can remain quiet and at peace. Praise God for that!
Let’s slip away with Him today.
(And I pray the beeping at work ends tomorrow!)
Much love,
Julie
I’m linking this post with Holley for Coffee For Your Heart and Jennifer for #TellHisStory.
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I may be extremely weird (Barbara is saying “MAY?” and rolling her eyes…careful, dear, they’ll get stuck that way) but I really don’t mind noise. It’s part of the environment; one has to pay attention to any requirements for action it may bring, but that’s about it. I don’t resent it, any more than I resent heat, cold, humidity, bugs, or lack of sleep.
It’s just life.
You’re funny, Andrew. You’re not weird. Noise is a part if life, I agree. But I need the quiet to pray, think, ponder, and regroup. I love how our Creator has made us all different. (I think I’m different than most!) I continue to pray for you, brother, and I appreciate you stopping over!
Summer is a particularly noisy time around my house. I know I need to be extra-intentional about slipping away with God… Thanks for the reminder! Blessings!
I love the environment of a noisy, children-filled house! But yes, slipping away with God doesn’t come easily some days… we do have to be intentional. It’s so worth it though, isn’t it? Blessings to you this summer!
The world sure does scream. I want to be more like my husband who can tune it all out. 😉
Hope the beeping ends soon!
I want to be more like him, too, Sarah! The beeping continued today. Thanks for being here and for sharing. Hugs to you!
Hi Julie,
I could so identify with your post since last weekend my smoke alarms at my house went off at 6 am on a Sunday and I could not get them to stop! I thought I might lose my mind! Your words ring true that the noise of the world just grabs for our attention but Jesus calls us to contemplate him in the quiet — I love that!
Oh, Valerie. You can so relate! I’m thankful even with the noise, we can withdraw with the Lover of our souls. I love that too! Thank you for swinging by today. Have a blessed day!
Thank you for the encouragement to get away from the noise. It’s a good reminder to be proactive and intentional in seeking time and space with God when it feels like the world is closing in on us.
Hi Niki! I especially needed that reminder. And still do. You’ve blessed me by stopping in and sharing. Thanks so much!