Play the Blank

While we live in a very noisy world. Giant mills and factories rumble and grind away day and night. Auto horns toot. Trains rattle through our towns. Trucks bump along our roads and streets. Even out in the country tractors and airplanes disturb the peace.

Radio and television sets blare away in our homes. Motors and appliances buzz day and night, and doorbells and telephones ring. Even while we are sleeping our ears catch noises. Three thousand years ago a Psalmist advised, "Be still, and know that I am God." It is almost impossible to be still today. Almost.

Scientists tell us that noises cost cities millions of dollars a year in wear and tear on streets and buildings. Noises can shake large stones loose. Noise causes people a lot of trouble, too. That is why we need to have periods of quiet to live for a while with our thoughts instead of with sounds.

Some juke boxes have "silent" records. These are blank discs that a person can "play" and enjoy a few minutes of silence from the instrument, at least, in a noisy restaurant. The records sell for the same price as those with music on them. So even the record makers place a value on silence.

We need a blank record in our lives. One that we can play and have a few moments of silence when we can commune with God undisturbed. These moments of silence with him are precious to us, for they will give us the added strength needed to live in today's noisy world. And so, get off alone somewhere. Put the blank record on and recite to yourself some great passage of Scripture like the Twenty-third Psalm. Ask God to give you some of his peace. Then you'll be ready for anything.