Excerpt taken from my book “Everyday Parables – Hearing God’s Voice In the Simple Things of Life” (c) 2008 Mirror Ministries).
Chapter Seven
The Noise of Life
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on
religion? Come to me. Get away with me
and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you
how to take a real rest. Walk with me and
work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the
unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything
heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with
me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
MATTHEW 11:28-30 (The MSG)
I walk three miles several days a week at our church activity center. The indoor track is very nice and is suspended above the remainder of the workout facilities and double gym. As I walk, I pray or sing praises to the Lord. It is a quiet and solitary time that I enjoy as a refresher to begin each new day.
There I was, walking and fellowshipping with my Heavenly Father, when I heard a noise that is not too prevalent at 5:00 a.m.—the loud, thunderous sound of a basketball bouncing. My first feeling was one of frustration. The silence of my morning had been abruptly interrupted. My praise, worship, and prayer time were brought to a screeching halt. My peace was now challenged. The questions began to race through my head. “Who is this man, and what is he doing?” “Can’t he see that people are all walking and working out in peace and quiet?” “Doesn’t he realize what he is doing is distracting and disturbing?”
With each bounce of the ball against the wood floor in that hollow gym, the sound radiated and magnified right through me. My mind was quickly diverted from the prayers I was praying to the intense sound of that ball hitting the hardwood floor and echoing throughout the building. As I rounded the track on the side of the building that is not above the gym, I would re-engage in conversation with the Lord. As I continued walking and approached the part of the track that is directly above the gym, I could hear the ball bouncing. With each lap around the track, I would get anxious and tense in my spirit and lay my prayers aside.
By the third time around, I felt God speak to my spirit in that still, small voice that actually radiated, “Do you hear that?”
I was stunned, but His question demanded a response so I replied, “Yes, Lord. I hear it. Isn’t it distracting and unsettling? Isn’t he being rude?”
The Lord inquired of me again, “Do you really hear it?”
“Yes, Lord. I really hear it,” was my sharp response.
The next words I heard the Lord speak stopped me cold in my tracks. “The sound of that ball bouncing is the noise in your life—the busyness that keeps you from Me. Do you hear it?”
BOOM
“The busyness.”
BOOM
“The ‘To Do’ lists.”
BOOM
“The housework.”
BOOM
“The community events.”
BOOM
“The misdirected ministries.”
BOOM
I replied, “Ministries, Lord?”
“Yes—church, ministries, and activities that you and your family are involved in because you think you have to be or because you want to be; and yet, have I told you to do so or asked you to do so?”
BOOM BOOM BOOM
“Long hours at work.”
BOOM
“Sporting events for the children.”
BOOM
“TV.”
BOOM
“The telephone and cell phone.”
BOOM BOOM BOOM
God definitely had my attention.
In those moments with the Lord, it occurred to me that my prayer life is often interrupted by the bouncing ball of life, too. Just as I settle in to pray and spend time with my Father, I often hear the noise of the world—“You have laundry to do.” “Don’t forget to run that errand.” “Your children need to be dropped off at practice, and do not forget to get milk, pay bills, and cook supper.” And the list goes on. The noisy bounce of the daily grind can often distract us from what is the most important part of our day—being focused in an attitude of prayer, praise, and worship to the King.
I left the fitness center that morning with a fresh awareness that my time is not my own. It belongs to the One who created it. I need to offer it to Him day-by-day, hour-by-hour, moment-by-moment and follow His direction in my life.
Lord God, thank You for using even the simplest things in life—a basketball—to get my attention and to teach me eternally significant lessons. Forgive me, Father, for allowing the noise and the busyness of my life to prevent me from staying still and quiet at Your feet. Forgive me for involving myself and my energies in things You may not have ordained for my life. Help me, Lord, to focus on first things first—You—to always look for Your wisdom in what I should do with my time, effort and energy. Help me to see You even in the errands, laundry, and bill paying that have to be done. Help me, Father, to seek You and Your wisdom for my life. It is then that I know I will truly encounter You. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Susanne Hughes - Mirror Ministries 