I was reminded of how noisy Hanoi the other day. It was almost 7:00 am. I was reading my Bible and Jan was struggling with a cold so was still in bed. I'd heard the normal call to classes from the nearby high school (a few drum beats and a loud sentence or two) at 6:45. Being a Monday they then held their general assembly in the school courtyard that serves as their gym and auditorium (and sometimes parking lot).
The sound system was even louder than normal and the program featured music as well as a very expressive speaker. I was extra sensitive to the noise since Jan was asleep and I was about to begin praying. I just had to smile. Even though we are 300 meters away and 19 stories above the school, I could hear every word.
I think I've mentioned before that Hanoi drivers are notorious for using their horns to say, variously: "look out I am coming; move, you are in my way; I see you and hope you see me; I am frustrated that traffic is so slow; the light is turning in 5 seconds, why aren't you moving already; Hello; etc."
Horns are overused but some of them are amazingly loud - especially on buses and trucks. Both outdoors (such as in the nearby school courtyard) and indoors at meetings, church services, wherever, sound systems are normally set at about twice the required volume.
Add to that the fact that Vietnamese generally (of course all comments are generalizations) speak at a volume much louder than many ethnic groups. When people are having a normal conversation in our apartment hallway, we often remind each other: "they are not angry or arguing, they are just talking."
All of that to say, the average Vietnamese is usually surrounded by noise much more than is the average city dweller in Edmonton, Toronto, New York or Sydney.
However this morning I awoke earlier than usual. So I was reading my Bible at 5:30 am and suddenly realized it was actually quiet. With windows closed and drapes drawn; before rush hour and before school started, it was quiet! There were minutes when I could not hear even one faint horn honking. Amazing!
Now I am not sure that today "I heard from God" any better than on Monday when reading with accompanying school music and pep talk. But it certainly was easier to concentrate. If you have a very quiet spot where you can meet with God, be thankful.
Anyway, thinking of this caused me again to remember the Psalmist words:
However you do it, I hope you will take time to slow down, be quiet, be still, stop striving and remember today that the Lord is God and we are called to exalt Him.
The sound system was even louder than normal and the program featured music as well as a very expressive speaker. I was extra sensitive to the noise since Jan was asleep and I was about to begin praying. I just had to smile. Even though we are 300 meters away and 19 stories above the school, I could hear every word.
I think I've mentioned before that Hanoi drivers are notorious for using their horns to say, variously: "look out I am coming; move, you are in my way; I see you and hope you see me; I am frustrated that traffic is so slow; the light is turning in 5 seconds, why aren't you moving already; Hello; etc."
Horns are overused but some of them are amazingly loud - especially on buses and trucks. Both outdoors (such as in the nearby school courtyard) and indoors at meetings, church services, wherever, sound systems are normally set at about twice the required volume.
Add to that the fact that Vietnamese generally (of course all comments are generalizations) speak at a volume much louder than many ethnic groups. When people are having a normal conversation in our apartment hallway, we often remind each other: "they are not angry or arguing, they are just talking."
All of that to say, the average Vietnamese is usually surrounded by noise much more than is the average city dweller in Edmonton, Toronto, New York or Sydney.
However this morning I awoke earlier than usual. So I was reading my Bible at 5:30 am and suddenly realized it was actually quiet. With windows closed and drapes drawn; before rush hour and before school started, it was quiet! There were minutes when I could not hear even one faint horn honking. Amazing!
Now I am not sure that today "I heard from God" any better than on Monday when reading with accompanying school music and pep talk. But it certainly was easier to concentrate. If you have a very quiet spot where you can meet with God, be thankful.
Anyway, thinking of this caused me again to remember the Psalmist words:
He says, “Be still, (stop striving) and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
However you do it, I hope you will take time to slow down, be quiet, be still, stop striving and remember today that the Lord is God and we are called to exalt Him.
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