Cacophony: noun
ca·coph·o·ny | \ ka-ˈkä-fə-nē
1: harsh or jarring sound, specifically: harshness in the sound of words or phrases
2: an incongruous or chaotic mixture: a striking combinationI am reluctant to speak into the midst of this current season of life, where it seems there are already ten thousand competing voices telling us what and how to think. I am worn out and exhausted by those voices. Daily press briefings from the highest and lowest levels of government, often lasting for hours. Special reports and features on the nightly news, reminding us of the growing body count, discussing all the ways our foresight failed us in our most critical hours. Articles and social media feeds filled with the opinions of every self-appointed expert and homespun quarantined journalist there is. Post after post after post analyzing the myriad of ways we should have handled things differently, should have prepared differently, should have saved differently.
Noise.
Racket.
Clanging.
Banging.
All of it – just noise.
A cacophony of dissonant notes, making for an altogether terrible melody that is incredibly painful on the ears, heart and mind.
Out of self-preservation and mental well-being, I’ve had to tune it out, turn it off, and shut it down.
But there’s still that one voice.
That one voice I cannot seem to escape.
The quiet whisper of Jesus.
That still small voice which echoes in the chambers of my heart and mind, where the notes aren’t dissonant, jarring or unsettling, and the melody isn’t threatening to destroy my ear drums and set fire to my brain.
What I need more than anything right now is that voice. I need his perspective, his truth, his clarity. I don’t need predictions, projections, theories, or conjectures. I don’t need finger-pointing, paranoia, accusations or fear. All of those will fall short in due time. Their insufficiencies will be revealed, the curtain pulled back on the shortcomings of each.
I need a perspective rooted in unchanging truth, guided by an unwavering voice.
Because that voice - the voice of Jesus Christ - will be the only voice that declares the truths I need to know, the truths that are most critical in these times of chaos and uncertainty, the truths that will be fixed points in a time when it seems all is unmoored.
Because that voice declares, if it is shelter I seek, then I must seek it in the shadow of the Almighty, the one who will never be buried beneath the waves or fall victim to the floodwaters of life.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” - Psalm 91:1, 2, 4
Because that voice declares, if it is peace I seek, then I must seek it in the peace of Jesus Christ, the olive branch extended to me, the sign that not all hope is lost.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Because that voice declares, if it is brighter days I seek, then I must seek them in the promise of Jesus Christ, the rainbow splashed across the skies, a reminder of his faithfulness amid the chaos.
“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” - Genesis 9:16
Because that voice declares, if it safety I seek, then I must seek it in the dwelling of the Lord Almighty.
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” - Psalm 27:5
Because that voice declares, if it is comfort I seek, then I must seek it in the one and only Comforter.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Because that voice declares, if it is hope I seek, then I must seek it in the only source of living hope.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” - 1 Peter 1: 3-5
That voice declares all that I need to know, both yesterday, today and tomorrow, whether in times of crisis, chaos or calm.
It doesn’t declare I will be exempt from suffering. It doesn't declare my generation will be exempt from suffering. It doesn’t declare heartache will not pass the threshold of my home. It doesn’t declare grief will not come my way. It doesn't declare my family and friends will make it through this pandemic untouched. It doesn't declare my own body won't succumb. It doesn't declare I won't lose my job.
But it does declare all I need to know in the midst of those things.
“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…” - Revelation 3:20
So, to you I say –
Drown out the noise, the racket, the clanging, the banging.
Silence the cacophony of voices and opinions and listen for the only voice you need to be listening to right now.
Because maybe then you will discover the voice of a God who is neither under a quarantine mandate nor stay-at-home orders, and neither is his Word. They are free to move about.
Listen carefully, listen closely, drown out all the other voices and open the door.
Listen to the one voice you need to hear most right now.
Listen to the one voice you need to hear most right now.
Jesus promises to come into your quarantined home.
