Have you ever sat somewhere and just closed your eyes and listened? I remember growing up on 15 acres in Georgia. Even though we were out a little ways we were still on a main road. My sister and I would play the car game on the front porch. Close eyes, listen, and guess what kind of car or truck it is and guess a color. I think back to that time and remember there would be a car or two every few minutes but then it would be silent in between. Now when I sit on that very same front porch there are cars almost every second that goes by. It makes me think of our world today vs. yesteryear.
Lets compare our world today vs 30 years ago. (I know I’m dating myself but keep reading) 2023 vs 1993. Let’s look at today first. We have internet, Social media outlets …Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat and any of the others I don’t even know about. We have phones <basically computers> attached to our hip. Cars that go by constantly. 24 hour news networks. Computers. Constant emails. And even gas stations with TVs that start playing when you get out to pump gas! Phones ringing, texting chirps and emails dinging. More cars whizzing by. More media Marketing ads, more TV shows 24/7 now. I remember back then we had 4 tv channels and the TV station went off after about 1230am and nothing else came on until about 6am. We had a phone on the wall in the kitchen and one in my parents bedroom. That was it. We took Sunday afternoon naps, played outside when we were bored and made mud pies in the driveway after rains. I would be greeted by my cats when I got off the school bus and would walk up the driveway looking forward and not down at a phone.
My comparison point is we have so much “noise” vying for our attention these days. It’s no wonder now when I sit to read anything it takes me twice as hard to sit and be still.
I’m not about to say that all these things we have today are all evil. I’m very thankful for a lot of the technology because it does make my life especially work life easier. I’d go further to say you wouldn’t be reading this if we didn’t have the phones and internet and capability today. What I am saying though is that the enemy uses all this “noise” to deter our focus off of peace, serenity, positivity, calmness and the One who created all. We have a magnitude of distractions now that take our focus off the Prince of Peace, being still and knowing He is God. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He knows God came to give peace and life more abundantly. The enemy doesn’t want us to have peace and life; he’s trying his best to distract us from Peace.
I tell my closest friends I wish and long for 1989 again. It was definitely less “noise” more peace and something I strive daily to create today.
I urge you more than ever to be still. Focus. Remove “noises” from time to time to listen to the birds, smell the roses, laugh with your loved ones without phones in your hands.
Meditate on the Word because we need it more than ever. Be Still and Know everlasting Peace.
Psalm 46: 10 Be still and know that I am God.
Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.