White Noise

Definitions of White Noise:

"Any random, collective occurrence of unrelated things. Typically used to refer to a simultaneous collection of sound patterns, which when all occurring at once, sounds similar to static, or a 'hiss'. When considering visual white noise, it is often referred to as 'snow', such as one might see on a television station that isn't playing any current programming." (Business Dictionary)

"White noise, or white sound as it is sometimes called, is a very therapeutic device for relieving stress, masking annoying sounds, and helping you fall asleep. But, it really isn’t noise at all. It’s actually a ton of different sound frequencies all hitting you at once....White noise has the effect of masking out annoying sounds that might otherwise disturb your sleep. " (White Noise for Baby)

"A heterogeneous mixture of sound waves extending over a wide frequency range,... a constant background noise ; especially : one that drowns out other sounds.... meaningless or distracting commotion, hubbub, or chatter " (Merriam-Webster)

This morning as I was taking a shower, I kept hearing the same two songs playing over and over in my mind. I didn't really think about them, they were just there, crashing against each other back and forth. They were old rock songs that I've never really liked, and neither one has anything to do with my life. They were the kind of songs you hear over the loud speakers in a grocery store or a mall. You know, the kind of meaningless stuff they sing on American Idol.

Then it occurs to me: I can't hear. I can't really hear, because these songs are in my head. I can't hear the birds or the world waking up outside. I can't hear God. I can't even hear myself think because I've got this meaningless soundtrack going on in my head.

Revelation: I'm distracted by it. It keeps me from focusing. It's stealing life away from me by dumbing me down, subduing me, putting me to sleep spiritually. It's constant, meaningless, masking, life-stealing snow. And, it isn't just these elevator music songs. It's hitting us constantly from all sides. It's billboards, television commercials, cars driving by, gossip, stereos, movies, popular culture, professional sports... It's comic books, web browsing, harlequin porn, rumor magazines, politics, mainline news... It's fast food, soap operas, channel surfing, clubbing, drinking, drugs, smoking... It's all over. It's over sensitization. It's the constant never ending WHITE NOISE of living that drowns out real life, and I've got to do something about it or I'm going to miss most of what really matters.

Satan has subdued our culture and distracted us from what really matters: God, family, encouraging one another, relationships, suffering, becoming like Christ... We need to unplug. We need to take a break from all the stuff we're surrounded by. Even in his day, Jesus needed time away from everything to seek the Father. How can we possibly think that we don't? Because our minds are too overwhelmed by all the meaningless white noise to stop and think about it.

So, STOP!

Turn off the computer. Turn off the TV. Turn off the lights if you have to. Find a place of quiet (closet, pantry, tool shed, outhouse...). Take some time away from all life's white noise and take a real look at your life: Where are you? Who are you? What are you doing with your days? Can you hear God? Are you making something out of your life or is it just happening to you? Do you know where your life is going? Is white noise stealing your meaning day in and day out? What's really important (I mean really), and what are you doing about it?