Seeking Quiet through the Noise

In our world we are constantly bombarded with noise and device that continually distract us from our primary purpose.  From email, social-networking, video games, phones, computers, iPods, movies, to television, everything seems to lead us to diversion in an ever-fragmented society.  The pull of the digital world is strong as its bells and whistles steal our focus and fill the quiet of our hearts and minds with noise.

It is this noise that we should be made aware of.  Often in life, we can go for some time without addressing an issue simply because we have not been made aware of it.  The noise of the modern digital world is such an issue.  Many people live lives like they handle their computer or digital device: switching back and forth between simultaneous programs.

This sort of fragmentation is not beneficial or effective.  It's like putting one pant leg on, brushing the teeth of the left side of your mouth, putting on a shoe, turning off the alarm clock, turning on the TV, checking emails, pouring a bowl of cereal, then putting on the other pant leg, brushing the right side teeth, and sitting down to eat your cereal after putting on your other show.  Clearly, this is an exaggeration, but if we're honest, is it that far off?

True multi-tasking is not the same as doing everything at the same time.  Multi-tasking is always measured in effectiveness, not in how many things can we do simultaneously, but how many things can we do well.  If we are being a poor friend, a sloppy employee, or an ineffective communicator, it might be that we are being distracted by the noise around i.e. TV, emails, texts, phone calls, etc.  If our goal is to be excellent, a realigned measure of focus might be in order.

Fighting the fragmentation of the digital world we live in is not an easy proposition, particularly considering how plugged-in each of us is on a daily basis.  Research as recent as 2009 indicates that  around 90% of American households have computers, 83% have internet access in their homes, 83% of adults have a cell-phone, and some 80% of families have at least one modern gaming system (X-Box, Wii, Playstation 3, etc).  This means that nearly every American is totally drowning in a sea of potential distractions.

The only thing that has any ability to cut through the noise of the digital world is the Lord, His Word and Holy Spirit.  Getting into His presence is the only thing capable of slicing through the tumult of the world, which works tirelessly to distract us from Him.  In reality, we are always in His presence, but we are often too distracted to be aware.  Practically speaking, we need to turn down the noise in order to hear His voice.  And, although this can be literal noise like turning our phones on silent, it is also an inner silence.

There is a distinct and clear quietness that accompanies the Christian life. When we allow and schedule times of quiet, we turn off the distractions and focus on the Lord.  We should strive to make a regular habit of turning off the noise and disturbances of this world so that we can focus on, truly meditate on, the Lord, His Word and His will.

When we put Him first in this manner, we will be blessed and the distractions of the digital world will somehow seem to have less weight in our lives than we had previously thought.  So let us resolve to not allow the digital world and its devices of distraction decide when we will be devout, but let our devotion to the Lord guide how we can most effectively use the digital world to live out our ultimate purpose of bringing people to Christ.