We are constantly surrounded by sounds.
Many people prefer to have sounds in the background in order to muffle noise or to increase adrenaline or to not feel alone. When sound is not to our liking, it is referred to as noise.
Having constant background sound can distract us from communicating with others. Maybe the TV is always on or the videos are constantly streaming or the headphones are always worn. Each of these stymies conversation with others, projecting the message of not necessarily wanting to interact.
How does background noise affect our communication with God?
With constant sounds of voices streaming into our ears, the opportunity to talk with our heavenly Father decreases. With other people’s ideas continuously flowing into our mind, hearing what God says through his Word and in prayer feels less necessary. With an absence of silence, there are fewer moments to offer praise and thanks to God, to find peace in his presence, and to be still before him.
Our connection to God through prayer needs to be guarded. This is a choice we each need to make, because the challenge is real and is at our fingertips in this computer age. Our relationship with God, as with other relationships, needs communication in order to thrive.
One-way communication doesn’t make a relationship. God wants us to hear him, to learn his truths and live in them – and he wants our motive for this to be love for him.
God is not just the recipient of our ‘to do’ list. Because he is sovereign, we must align with him. How can we do that if we are distracted by a constant stream of sounds that come at us? Are we allowing time to foster our relationship with God, to grow in our love for him so that we can then act in his love?
Do you need to challenge yourself to not always fill your ears with noise, or sound?
- Allow the quiet moments to spur spontaneous words of praise and thanks to God.
- Allow yourself the gift of noticing who and what God has placed around you.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into praying for and blessing others.
- Allow God’s words to be brought into your mind to give you his peace and purpose.
As we grow in Christ, may we be like those he described: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 ESV).
Put this into practice as you engage with God’s Word and spend time with him using a Heart Training book.