I sat with a saint of our church yesterday. She is in hospice with an incredibly sudden and aggressive cancer. We were just talking and catching up. She was weak but in great spirits. It’s always surreal yet an honor to sit with people in these times.

I mentioned a podcast that I had listened to where they pointed out that we’re living in a modern day Babel. People are being driven into their own “tribes” unable to truly communicate with each other. Society is clamoring to become their own gods or reach a false god. Thus, we are being driven further and further away from each other.

At this point, two loved ones in the room agreed and pointed out how different they were from each other politically. They were polite but there was obvious tension present in their voices. I then turned to my sister in Christ. I pointed out that while she always kept herself above the political fray I imagine that all of this would seem more and more like noise in these days.

She looked me directly in the eyes and said, “It’s ALL noise.” There was an assurance of what was to come for her in her voice. There was a solid clarity in her weakened words. At this point, nothing matters more than who God is and how He relates to her. He is her Father and she will see Him soon.

The reality is, that’s all that ever matters. All the rest IS noise. Noise that is intended to distract and divide us. As the clock turns to midnight tonight and we go from 2024 to 2025 millions of people will celebrate. Yet, there will be people in hospice, in hospitals, who are homeless, who are hungry, who are alone that are not rejoicing. They are either focused solely on the hope that lies in Jesus…or are in complete despair.

It is upon those of us who know and trust in Jesus to come alongside and stand with those who are in despair. Dunking on the “other side” over political matters or winning a theological debate? Noise. Pointing out the faults in others, praising your accomplishments, seeking your own glory? Noise. Spending hour after hour online either being enraged or encouraged by what your or the other side is doing? Yes, noise.

Maybe, just maybe, we could all strip away all of that noise and focus on what really matters. The reality is, each of us are going to get to that moment when nothing else matters. Too much until then, is all noise.