Something Better Than Pure Noise

2 Corinthians 6:14–7:2

This year I made a resolution to become more intentional about my inner thought life. I am the author of my own thoughts. Those thoughts shape my words, and together they shape my reality. Scripture is absolutely packed with this principle, and I want to spend this week pondering some of it.

In this passage of Corinthians, Paul was addressing a church of people who until 5 seconds ago had been immersed in pagan culture in every possible way. It seemed almost crazy to me that he'd have to spell it out, until I took a closer look at my own daily habits and was shocked by how much equally questionable idolatry I was wading through.

My mama used to say, "if you sit in (forgive me) doo-doo, you don't smell it anymore." It's true. If I'm endlessly scrolling debasing content, binge-watching shows about people scandalize themselves and everyone they know, and mainlining think pieces about how Terrible Things Are, I've purchased season tickets for the grossest seat in the vomitorium. How am I supposed to live a thought life saturated in God's truth when I'm filling my mind with total vapidity?

Once I saw it, I couldn't unsee it. I started working more on turning off the podcast and stopping the scroll, and to my genuine surprise, I could hear the birds. And now that my eyes were freed from a 3 inch wide screen, I could see them too. I was struck with how beautiful and absorbing God's creation is. I also learned that the drama unfolding between the squirrels on my hickory trees is equal to HBO's best. There's a little more room now for something better than pure noise.

A prayer of St. Augustine

Thou movest us to delight in praising Thee; for Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee. Amen.

Grateful for the birds,
Grace Sewell