Thursday, September 21, 2017

What is the first thing you think of??

Yes ...those sounds in the night, do they border on fear??

Or do they give you a strange sort of comfort that you don't understand??

I guess that all depends upon what comes first to mind ...when I say, "Sounds in the night ..." 

A ticking clock ...

The clock's ticking may aggravate you if you are unable to sleep ...and the only sound in the room is that constant ticking.

But, the ticking also means that the clock is likely working ...and will be able to wake you up.

If you are waking up for work, you may not like the clock for that reason ...but, my guess is that you are the one who set it. We don't want to get up, but in a way, we do.  And we are often moved to do things we don't necessarily find fondness in doing. It is called ...responsibility.

On the other hand,  there are other solutions to the aggravation of a ticking clock.  You can open a window if you live near a busy road.  I personally don't like the sound of a busy road ...but, I have to admit that I am often busy doing something that traffic is no challenge for ...you guessed it, yes, I snore.  And that drowns out the sound of all clocks throughout the house ...and all traffic, whether it be semi-trucks or trains.

Now, living out in the country is something else.  I grew up in the country, and I find the country sounds very comforting.

Yet, if you have not had the experience of camping out in your youth ...it is possible that with your adult mind, you did not go through those stages that a young mind does.  There are fears we need to overcome ...and realizing them and facing those fears are often a healthy step of growth.  

That is not to say that there are not other fears that require a much different approach. There are unhealthy situations we should not attempt to face.  There are real fears in some neighborhoods, and especially in neighborhoods of oppressive nations.  Though mortar fire does not frequent most of our lives, that does not mean we should distance ourselves from that reality.  We should abundantly thank God for the peace we so often experience ...and pray for those who presently don't have it.

It seems that those who have not had certain fearful experiences ...are not to feel neglected, as the movie industry tries to more than make up for any lacking.  And in my opinion, they overdo it.  They attempt to create such a diversity of fears that it is likely no one person could ever experience that insane range of emotions.  

In movies, there has been a masterful success with dealing with what some people might otherwise have struggled with as an awkward pause leading up to an event or linking separate intervals of what is intended for us to see.  The movie industry has used difficult situations, and played it to their great advantage.  An awkward pause becomes an intentional pause after something we can recognize as being either said in a stupid manner, or being said to someone (I hesitate to refer to them, as stupid ...so let's just call them) clueless.  This pause is often heard as an echoing flood of audible cricket sounds.

Another thing that the movie industry has used to elicit a definite emotion is the sound of a wolf howl ...indicating that we are to be clued in to the fact that something is about to happen, or in the very least, that something could happen and the movie characters know it.

A bit milder, but also very effective with its sudden intrusion into the silence, is an owl hooting.  And it only has to hoot once, with one short interval.  We know the owl knows that something is out there ...the owl sees it, but we can't.  And furthermore, we can't fly away or safely perch high on a branch.

Yes, there are anticipated sounds ...and sounds that are not anticipated. There are welcome sounds, and unwelcome sounds.

But, whether you welcome what I'm going to say next, or not ...if you know me at all, you perhaps can anticipate that I am going to say something a bit different than what I've already said.

Sounds in the night are usually cloaked under a blanket of darkness.  And the darkest situation I can think of ...is when there was no light.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." ---Genesis 1:1-2

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." ---Genesis 1:3

I'll let you do a little study for yourself here ...but, by my studies, I believe the angels sang at this time.  The uncertainly of the result of a rebellion brings much anticipation ...and much joy, when the best result that can be imagined comes with a victory.  Yes, it is something to sing about.

Yet, to stand as a constant reminder, it often serves best to be provided with repetitive intervals.  In this case, what was in darkness ...saw light.  Yet, darkness took its turn ...followed again with light.  And it was clear who was in charge ...and in control.

As we read on, the waters were separated ...followed by another interval of darkness.  And bringing light to another new event ...the waters gathered, allowing dry land to appear with a provision of ample vegetation.

Then almost like plugging in a string of lights upon a Christmas tree ...those lights now provided were not to eliminate the darkness, but did add awe and wonder that could be seen by all.  And it is hard to imagine anything could be seen that would overshadow that which could be seen.

But, at this point, only God, our Creator ...and the angels could see.  Until this next interval, of course.  And at this point, the birds were created ...to sing, similar to when the angels sang, at the anticipated dawn of the next day.

Yet, there would be singing at night also.  The crickets and frogs provide a chorus of constant sound ...difficult to describe, but a delight to my ears.  And just as the stars provide some light in the darkness of night, the frogs and crickets provide a bit of soothing sound ...both the light and the sound providing a constant comfort of existence.  

This was all set up in advance for when we were created ...to see, witness, and appreciate (if we allow ourselves to).

To some, it may seem like an awkward pause.  To others, the darkness may seem to aid them in concealing the type of rebellious activity that brought on the darkness in the first place.  But, no amount of darkness can hide any activity from God.

Yet, perhaps the purpose is not to hide from God ...but to hide God.  If God can be hid from any area of the world, spiritual darkness grows.  

I sat outside on my back steps last evening ...and I had growing appreciation of what God has done.

I hope you can too.

(http://doyoubelievethatitisnot.blogspot.com/) & (http://putmorethoughtintoitwiththanks.blogspot.com/)