Noise Pollution

Mark 8:36

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Noise pollution is a term that was initially coined in the 1970's to describe noises which led to negative impacts on daily life. Countries such as India, which have a large urban population, put in several legal restrictions to limit these impacts. Anyone who has lived or tried to work in these environments can tell you exactly what it's like. The cacophony of noises can be distracting, frustrating and far from restful. So then why do we live our spiritual lives with noise pollution?

We all have busy and cluttered lives. Many of us work or attend school. Some of you are parents or the primary caretakers in your family. Everyone is engaged in time-consuming activities which in and of themselves are good. However, what is the purpose of these activities if all they do is draw us away from Christ himself?

In Mark chapter 8, Jesus speaks to this issue. He call to HIS disciples and the crowd that's been following HIM to impress upon them what truly is important in this world. Jesus points out to two directions we can go in our lives. Our lives are going to be used up and spent doing something so we have the choice to decide who and what we lose our life to. We can lose it work or school and gain the world. We can lose it to ourselves, working hard to create the kind of life we think will bring us happiness. Maybe that feels like marriage or having kids; however, no matter how noble our pursuits may be, if it is not in service of the LORD then we are guaranteed to lose our soul in the process.

So instead Christ challenges us to deny ourselves and lose our lives to HIM. Submitting ourselves to HIS will and taking up that daily cross. We live in a fickle world that was created to fade away. Even our lives come to an end. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians chapter 7. We are called to live in this world but not to be content in it. GOD promises us something so much more richly and deeply satisfying. Fight the urge to fulfill your earthly dreams without having submitted directly to GOD first. The more we saturate ourselves in the truth found in HIS word and at HIS feet the easier it is to quiet the noise that can corrupt our minds.