Noise Pollution
How Many Times Have I Ruined a Perfectly Good Moment with Words?
Last week, my wife and I walked the campus of Auburn University. It’s where we met nearly 30 years ago. Although it is August, the temperatures were near perfect. Manicured lawns. Beautiful South Alabama trees. Birds singing. University landmarks immaculately displayed. Voices of eager college students surrounding the landscape.
We were moving our second child to college. After dinner, he went with friends, and Katie and I just walked. It was surreal. Like I am certain of most college campuses on similar evenings, it was delightful. Almost worshipful, if not actual worship. Like the Father looking for Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening. Like the Spirit hovering over Jesus as He ascends from the Jordan River. Like Jesus walking with the fellows on the Emmaus Road. It was holy. Quiet. Beautiful. Nostalgic. Nature. Humans laughing. Sunset blazing. Peaceful. Though we didn’t say His name, we both were aware of the presence of Jesus.
It was lovely.
Until it wasn’t.
In the middle of Auburn’s iconic Toomer’s Corner, a Korean lady (referred to as “Ruth”) was screaming at passerby’s. I couldn’t understand her, but the locals say she is very religious and screams at anyone within earshot of the error (sins) of their ways. Her tone and shrill was pollution to my ears. Again, I have no idea what she was saying. But I do know this: no one was repenting and turning to Jesus. If anything, they were turning from Jesus. It was awful.
Thirty years ago, we didn’t have a Ruth. We did, however, have several “preachers” who would stand on sturdy plastic crates with a bull horn, condemning all of us college students of our evil ways. They would tell us how bad we were and then plead with us to turn from our sins before it was too late. Unlike Ruth, I and those around me could understand every word. Like Ruth, however, no one (to my knowledge) repented and turned to Jesus. Noise pollution. It was awful.
It’s crazy. I was experiencing the presence of Jesus so much more before I heard Ruth. When I heard her screeching voice, it was as if the Spirit quickly fled and hid behind Samford Hall. Katie and I had to keep walking a significant distance before her voice was muted to us. Only then could we enjoy being present to the holiness of the place and moment.
I am all for calling for repentance. I am all for communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ and urging people to believe on Him. I believe, wholeheartedly, that one cannot believe the Gospel unless they hear the Gospel in words. Yes and amen. But there is a time and there is a place. And, let’s not forget, there is a way. Jesus Himself said He wasn’t just the truth and the life. He is also the way.
I guess I could get all judgy of Ruth (okay, okay . . . I already have). But the whole thing got me thinking. I wonder how many times I have ruined perfectly good moments with words? I wonder how many times I have ruined worshipful moments with talk? I wonder how often I, like Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, ask about setting up tents when all that’s requested of me is to be still and present? I wonder how often I have ignorantly been like Ruth, forcing noise upon a quiet and holy moment?
If the psalmist is correct (and I tend to believe he is), then the glory of God is being communicated to us loud and clear all the time. The heavens declare it. The skies proclaim it. Their voices go out to the ends of the earth. God’s character is continuously being revealed - day after day, night after night - on college campuses all over the world. I know that creation itself is not salvific. I’m not saying that it is. But I do think we (me, at least) tend to rush past the Psalmist’s remarkable claims, and impose the Gospel with Ruth-like force; rather than allowing creation and a lovely evening gently draw us in to want more of the One behind it all.
I hope Ruth wins many to Jesus (though I have my doubts).
I hope you have ample opportunities to share the Good News of the Gospel, seizing holy moments with loving conversation.
I also hope the Father will grant me (us) discernment and relief to know when to simply and quietly be still and know.
I don't ever remember Jesus screaming or yelling at people angrily. He was angry in the temple, and turned over their booths, but didn't scream at them in hate or what sounded like hate. Thank you for sharing this as it allows us to pray for those who think they need to shout at people about God and Jesus. He loves a still, small voice; it works so much better!
Maybe Ruth will win more souls to Jesus Christ than Auburn will win football games 😂. Just having fun Pastor