Noise In The Crowd

We’ve all been in crowds that make communicating difficult. Even shouting across a room can muffle out all words when background noise overcomes all else. Trying to talk in a cacophony of voices and room clatter can be frustrating and downright aggravating. What do we do? Give up trying? Walk away? Wait until another time? It’s during such moments of pandemonium that we want to shout the familiar saying, “stop the world, I want to get off!”

In our spiritual worlds, demonic forces seize upon evey opportunity to make hearing God difficult. They crowd our mind with thoughts of failure, weakened faith, uselessness in trying, and even self loathing for unsuccessful attempts to meditate in quietness before the Lord. Demonic crowds attempt to make us feel futile in our every effort to commune one on one with God Almighty.

Do you remember reading about Bartimaeus? The story is recorded in Mark 10. He was blind and sitting by the side of the road. Perhaps he was there hoping travellers passing by would have pity and drop some coins at his feet. Suddenly he is aware of an approaching noise. Within the hubbub of people’s voices he learns the news that Jesus is coming. He had surely heard the stories of Jesus healing and performing other miracles. Desire and hope rise within him. The crowd is now before him. He makes his decision to call out, to make himself heard. “Jesus!” Around him the crowds immediately try to discourage him. “Be quiet!” they hiss their warnings to shut Bartemaeus up. Instead, he calls all the louder, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” We know the story; the ending is the same for us today. What happened?

Through the babble and clatter of voices talking, children playing, and feet shufflling along, Jesus heard Bartimaeus and invited him to come near. Amidst the numbers of people who had commanded him to keep quiet, Bartimaeus had called to Jesus anyway. This decision brought him near to Jesus where he could empty the concerns of his heart. Bartemaeus wanted to see. Immediately Jesus granted His request. Again, this is the same in our spiritual worlds today.

When we feel blind in our trust for our tomorrows, or discouraged in our trials, or overcome in our greif, or frsutrated in our waiting, let us remember Bartimaeus. Within the crowds of desparaging voices that tell us to give up, let us steadfastly call to Jesus knowing of a certainty that He will hear and bid us come to Him. Remember, His promises are true; not some of the time, but all of the time. When He says, seek and you will find (Matthew 7:7) or call to me and I will answer you (Jeremiah 33:3) or come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28), it is unbreakable promises that are yours for the taking.

We can’t escape the crowds in our mind’s thoughts, but we can find peace in the midst when we refuse the bad advice to “be quiet!” and take action as Bartemaeus did and focus. Focus on Jesus and call to Jesus. Peace, strength, courage, and guidance will be yours.