Canceling the Noise

By Kim Beach

31,000 feet

168 people

4 hours

1 airplane

Some passengers are working.  Many read and a lucky few find a way to sleep.  But rarely do people talk except to answer the stewards inquiry of drink choice or to ask their neighbor to excuse them as they exit the row for a restroom.  Even people traveling together are quiet. 

Why do 168 travelers packed inside one tiny flying can, sitting mere centimeters apart not communicate?

Noise.

There's no escaping the noise of an aircraft.  It's a constant assault on our auditory sense. When you enter, recorded announcements encourage you to hurry to your seat.  Fans are blowing in the ramp-way.  People are jostling for overhead luggage space.  Children are crying.   And in the background, the engines are at a high pitched whine as they idle.

Then the doors shut.  The announcements continue and the engines come to life.  That annoying whine becomes a constant roar. 

It just becomes too hard to keep up a conversation.  So instead of battling the noise and repeating yourself or risk miscommunication, we withdraw into our own universe.

In-flight noise seems to be a problem on many levels.  Psychologists are studying the effects of the constant noise on the mental health of pilots and stewards.  Audiologists warn us of the hazards to our hearing from the constant exposure to the engines constant  decibel  over prolonged periods of time.  NASA scientists are studying how to insulate airplane walls, windows and seats in order to reduce noise while flying.

But until new planes are built,  we travel on in silence, creating our own universe within the 18-inch space of our airplane seat. 

We do the same in our seat at church.

Women are created for Life.  We are created for Fellowship.  We are created for Relationship.  Yet, we often isolate ourselves, choosing to believe the lie of the enemy -  life is messy; Fellowship requires time and effort; Relationship makes you vulnerable to hurt, and it is just not worth the hassle.

But the benefits of Relationship outweigh the cost of being alone.

If the enemy can separate you from the body of Christ, then his lies become a distorted truth to your ears. 

Alone.  You are alone.  Alone is easier.  No one cares anyone.  Its too hard to make friends.  Alone.  Alone is safer.  No one can hurt you if you don't share your journey.  Alone.  All  you need is God.  You don't need fellowship.  Alone.  Alone.  Alone is easier.  Alone.  Alone.

In time, Alone becomes Lonely and then we begin to tell ourselves that no one cares about us, knows who we are and we are just not important.

NOISE -  the lie of the enemy!

You are an essential, amazing part of the Body of Christ.  His Church!  It is filled with fascinating women.  Amazing stories.  Witty antidotes.  There are tales of struggles and Miracles; of failure and Redemption.  The women standing next to you in the coffee line, washing their hands beside you in the bathroom and worshiping in the row in front of you are filled with Wisdom.

And you are worth knowing too!  You are needed!  Wanted!

You have a vital, important, amazing story to share.  A story someone needs to hear!  Scream against the noise of the world and declare the Truth of God -  "I am part of Christ's Church!  I need other people and they need me!"" 

As you stand in God's Word and His Truth, the roaring noise of the world will become silent in light of the Truth! 

God's Word

1 Corinthians 12:27  "Now you are the body of Christ, and one of you is part of it."

Galatians 6:2 "Carry one another's burdens and in this way you will fulfill

the law of Christ."

Titus 2 (MSG) Guilder older women into lives of reverence . . .  By

looking at then, the younger women will know how to love

their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a

good house, be good wives.