We recently had a plumbing issue cause a flood in our house. The disaster restoration service brought in several large fans and dehumidifiers, which filled our home with a loud, constant drone. We had to move to one side of the house and close doors to take a phone call. It was hard to have a conversation with each other. At times, someone would knock at the door or ring our doorbell without me hearing them – even when I was near the front of the house. Some visitors had to call my cell phone in order to let me know they were at the door.
You probably see the metaphor forming.
When we have lots of noise happening internally, we can ignore the knocks at your door. We miss huge opportunities because the drone of our own fears and worries deafen us. These could be opportunities to join in with someone in a grand adventure. Our loss is their loss. Or it could be a friend in need who finds no help at our doorstep because we’re too caught up in our own busyness and anxiety. Noisy lives aren’t necessarily effective ones.
There are times in our lives when the noise will just be there. But it should be temporary, just like with our home restoration. The fans are now gone. There’s more peace in our home and we know if someone is at our doorstep knocking.