Sounds or Noises?

Sounds or Noises?

This early in the morning, I sometimes hear far-off clangs and bangs, with a continuous underlying roar. The only explanation I can think of is the train downtown. It must be busy doing whatever trains do on those tracks, maybe hooking or unhooking cars?

A softer but much more pleasant sound is my water fountain in the flower garden. That is a soothing sound reminding me of the countryside, trees, grass, birds and flowers with a creek running through.

Other sounds come through the airwaves: a clamor of calamities and lawlessness in our own country or overseas. I think we all should be aware of the changes taking place, of disturbances and injustices, and do what we can to correct them. Those are the discords, the din that pounds on our ears. Ignoring them will not make them go away and may make them grow louder and more insistent. However, I don’t think we should allow disharmony to overcome harmony. We need to be aware and tuned in to the voices of nature, our children, the needs of others. We need to hear the word of God.

 

Scripture gives us the formula for withstanding the cacophony that sometimes threatens to obscure the soft but vital voices that crave our attention. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). 

 

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