When I worked in the Post Office years ago, one of my coworkers was a man named Moe Bailey Moe. had major hearing loss and was oblivious to all the foolish and crude chatter going on around him. If I wanted to talk to him, I first had to get his attention. He would turn on his hearing aids and we would talk, then he would turn them off again. Sometimes I envied him.

There is background noise in our homes that we mostly tune out: the hum of the refrigerator, the dishwasher, the washing machine, the computer, the heating system, the air conditioner, the ceiling fan, and all the other devices that we call conveniences. Then there is the phone and all the other electronic devices that call for our attention.

In industry, all unwanted inputs into the manufacturing process are called noise. These include fluctuations in electrical supply, temperature and humidity, vibration, variations in raw materials, mechanical problems. All unplanned variations that affect the finished product are noise.

In the sphere of public affairs, isn’t most of what we hear just noise? Everyone, from the guys in the coffee shop to the politicians asking for your vote, has a better idea of how to run the country. Most of them have been tried before and didn’t work, but those other guys just didn’t go about it right. I would like to be like Moe Bailey and turn off the noise.

There is a lot of noise in the Christian realm, too. Too much pop psychology, too much involvement in political controversy, too much loud music, too many big-name preachers, too much focus on money and success, not enough focus on knowing and following Jesus. There is too much end times speculation and not enough preparation to face the judgment seat of Christ.

Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” I’m afraid we may be guilty of too much saying and too little doing. Then again, the real doing by Christians is not done for the purpose of attracting attention. to themselves. We should not be part of the noise.