Above the Noise

“Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.” Psalm 71:3

I had this verse on my bulletin board above my desk at work to remind me in the middle of all the noise, He is my refuge, my resort (or vacation) in the middle of the chaos. Whenever I’d look up, and stop, and read this verse, His peace and presence would fill the atmosphere.

It has now been a couple of years since I’ve retired, yet I still need this reminder to not be consumed with the problems or circumstances all around me, or even my own agenda. I often need to stop and look up, and think of His majesty, His beauty, and His complete control.

In reading Mark 14 and looking at Mary of Bethany, I’m convicted of the distractions I allow to rule my thoughts and life. Mary heard Jesus and was focused on Him and His will. She was not worried about what others thought of her spiritual behavior, what she was wearing or even her own sin. Nothing hindered her approach to give the Lord Jesus the attention and glory He alone deserved.

The encouragement and benefits are in the Word: “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and all these things will be given to you also” (Matthew 6:33 AMP) and “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above (the heavenly things), not on things that are on the earth (which have only temporal value” (Colossians 3:2 AMP). I need to discipline my mind to reject the distractions, instead of chase after them.

I want to be like Mary, who heard Jesus above the noise. When the others were distracted and ended up confused and in fear, Mary understood, and blessed the Lord by anointing His body for burial with expensive perfume (Mark 14:8). He said she did what she could—and it would be told in her memory what she had done. She spent her time at Jesus’ feet, truly listening to Him. This was her priority. She lived in that place of resorting to Him continually.

Dear Father, we present ourselves to You as a living sacrifice, ready to truly hear and obey. Open our ears to hear and block out the distractions that steal away Your precious voice. We pray You would help us to listen and hear You above the noise. In Jesus’ Name.