The Noise-Cancelling Life
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT)
(1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
(2) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
THERE’S A LOT OF NOISE
“Just because it’s making noise doesn’t mean it deserves my attention.”
Micah 6:8 (NLT)
The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
POINT 1: TURN DOWN THE WRONG VOICES
John 10:27 (NLT)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Jesus said:
“My sheep listen to MY voice.”
The question isn’t whether voices are speaking.
The question is:
Which voice are you turning up?
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)
(5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
(6) Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Sometimes living focused means admitting:
“God, I don’t need another opinion. I need Your direction.”
Think about noise-cancelling headphones.
You put them on because you’ve decided:
“I want to hear this more than I want to hear everything around me.”
1 Kings 19:12 (NLT)
And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
God doesn’t compete with the noise.
Sometimes, and usually, He waits for us to turn the noise down.
What voice has been louder than God’s voice lately?
There will always be voices.
But you control the volume.
A noise-cancelling life turns down the wrong voices so it can clearly hear the voice of God.
POINT 2 : REMOVE WHAT DOESN’T DESERVE YOUR ATTENTION
Not everything you CAN carry is something you’re SUPPOSED to carry.
And eventually you have to ask:
“Does this deserve my attention?”
Or maybe an even better question:
“God, does this deserve my attention?”
The goal of a focused life isn’t just becoming more productive.
It’s becoming more available to what God actually requires of us.
Luke 10:41–42 (NLT)
(41) “But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!
(42) There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
If everything gets my attention, nothing gets my focus.
Sometimes spiritual maturity looks like knowing what to ignore.
Nehemiah 6:3 (NLT)
So I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”
POINT 3: KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Luke 22:42 (NLT)
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
That is the heart of a focused life:
“God, what do YOU want from me?”
Matthew 14:30 (NLT)
“But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.”
Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT)
(13) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
(14) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
You can’t run forward while constantly looking backward.
At some point you’ve got to focus on what God has placed in front of you.
CONCLUSION: WHAT NEEDS TO BE CANCELLED?
Maybe today the biggest thing keeping you from moving forward isn’t some massive spiritual problem.
Maybe it’s just noise.
This week, when something starts demanding your attention, ask yourself:
“Is this something God requires of me or is this just noise?”