How Does God View Our Noise?
A quick lesson on Navy Jets
Living in a Navy Town is both a blessing and a curse.
The economy is stable, public safety is relatively positive, and the traffic is low when I’m on my way to work.
One thing that I can’t seem to get over when I’m trying to relax late at night is the jet noise.
Jet noise doesn’t bother me too much during the day unless I’m talking on the phone or trying to hold a meeting online.
But in the evening the noise is a nuisance.
I’ve found that the jets are loudest when they fly low and slow.
An aviation thread website describes slow-flying jets as so,
“Fighter jets can be loud when flying slowly because they need to generate enough lift to maintain level flight. At some point, they need almost full power to maintain level flight, which is why they're so loud.”
The planes are extremely loud but when you look up it seems they aren’t doing much.
One lady at my church would say,
“They are doing a lot to do nothing”.
It makes for a great spectacle from the ground.
I mean it’s still a fighter jet.
They will forever be cool.
But at this moment the utility of the jet doesn’t match up with the potential.
This reminds me of God’s message to the Israelites in Amos 5.
The Israelites are in the habit of making noise.
Loud feasts, meaningless offerings, large parties.
Loads of potential for worshiping God but virtually no utility.
My Bible commentary describes it as “All ways of worshiping God in a way contrary to his Word”
One verse (v 21) specifically speaks on how God despises Israel’s religious feasts and their offerings.
But why does He hate them so?
Because they are making a lot of noise for nothing.
How easy is it to have a ceremony and be unchanged?
Going through the motions of keeping the Sabbath day, being a vegetarian, or keeping all of God’s laws in Deuteronomy (unnecessary btw).
God doesn’t want our ceremonies or extravagant offerings.
He wants our obedience, yes, but mostly he wants our hearts to yearn for him and our minds to be aligned with him.
Don’t be like the Navy Fighter Jet in training when it comes to your relationship with God.
Doing practice maneuvers flying as loud as can be.
Flying low and slow, going nowhere fast.
Give God your heart and mind and forget about going through the motions.
Give yourself fully to him and watch your life transform.
-G. Banks
“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Amos 5:21