I turned on a morning sports program just a few minutes ago. Sara, knowing that my New York Knicks had won a big game last night, said, “This must be a fun morning to watch this.” Yes, yes it was. After the first segment, I turned off the TV and noticed something – my ears had a slight ringing. And it hit me – much of the conversation and highlight reels were accompanied by a not-so-quiet music bed.
But I’ve also noticed that’s not just true with sports. There is a site where I sometimes check out different Bible studies, and I’ve noticed the same is true in many of those videos – a music bed that isn’t just an intro or at the conclusion, but rather runs throughout the video.
Honestly, I don’t typically wind up watching those because the noise is a distraction.
We’ve got that everywhere in our lives – unnecessary noise that really is just a distraction. It can even be noise that causes us to feel agitated or stressed without knowing it.
The noise of the email inbox…of the ‘to do’ list…of our entertainment choices…and certainly of those small computers we carry in our hands (I think those used to be for phone calls, or so I’ve heard).
In the midst of this, what a great reminder I had this week about peace. And not just a fleeting peace but a peace that is always there and always available to me.
But it’s a peace I have to choose on a daily basis, and on some days, an hourly basis.
“My peace I give to you…let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Did you see that? Jesus clearly says that He gives me His peace. His perfect peace! But again, it’s a peace I must choose. “Let not” – that indicates I have a part in experiencing that peace.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Yup, there it is again. God promises to keep me in “perfect peace”. And yes, there is a part for me in it – keeping my mind on Him and trusting Him.
And finally, Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
There’s a setting on my phone that I’ve been using more strategically: Do not disturb. My encouragement for you today is to take some ‘do not disturb’ time in your own life. Turn off the TV, put that phone away for a bit, close the email inbox, and listen.
Listen to the silence. Listen to the stillness. And most importantly, listen for whatever God might want to tell you in the silence. As I write these closing words, I am stopping to pray for you wherever you are, that you might encounter the ‘perfect peace’ that Jesus brings.
Peace – what a beautiful word. What a beautiful sound.