The Noise Of The Crowd

One of my pet peeves is crowd noises.

You know what I’m talking about….the unintelligible roar in a football stadium that blares from the television speakers or on radio frequencies. At certain decibels I can’t even stand to be in the room and I’ll find myself practically running down the hall to escape the sounds.

Sometimes, my desire to escape cannot be granted because I live in the crowd. This crowd, (otherwise known as my children) loves to talk all at once, very loudly and emphatically. Imagine six people jumping into your lap and all needing to be heard…it sounds like this:

“Dog was the last stuffed animal on the shelf Mommy and I saw him and I loved him and…”
“When I was three I jumped over a monster…”

“Will you play with me?”

“ Pinocchio was mad at the policeman Mom…”

“When can I do MY school Mom, when can I do it?”

“Here’s a card I made for you Mom, see it has us both on it and LOOK (shoves it into my face) it’s the shape of a HEART! And I didn’t even know it would be a heart when I made it for you, Mom, I didn’t even KNOW it would be a heart!”

“Mommy can I have a marble for my marble run?”

I start to block it out. I try to mentally escape because my brain cannot process all the chaos and the noise.

It’s overwhelming to be the one little people look to for guidance from sunrise to far after sundown.

My husband, of course, is the rock of our family and is incredible at providing love and support to all of us, but since he works long hours and I home-school, the brunt of the crowd noise is directed toward me until he comes home for the evening.

Some days I feel unable to cope with the vast needs of the multitude.

It usually happens when sleep has been an inconsistent friend, when I’m worried over a particular child, or I’m in a place of deep distress and need in my own heart. I want to run away; to curl up in bed and lock the door against my problems. But when I try to escape, the crowd follows me. They knock on the bathroom door and tattle on their siblings, play in the toilet when I try to wash my face, and then turn up their noses at the peanut butter toast I barely had the energy to prepare. This crowd of mine is just so persistent in their need to be mere inches from me at all times.

When Jesus walked on this earth, He too was followed by a pretty persistent crowd.

Matthew and Mark describe what Jesus did after receiving the news that John the Baptist, his cousin, had been murdered by King Herod. Jesus and His disciples hopped in a boat and set sail for a deserted spot where they could be alone. (Matthew 14:10-13 and Mark 6:27-31)

Mark 6:31 offers a concise explanation of their exit… “And He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going and they did not even have time to eat.”

(Just a quick PSA but if you find yourself overwhelmed, or seconds away from a meltdown, take note of what you’ve eaten that day. If you’re like me, chances are you nibbled a few bites of cereal in between feeding the baby and washing dishes, and you probably didn’t remember to drink anything other some lukewarm “survival” coffee. Go eat a snack girl…I’ll wait!)

Jesus and His disciples desired a quiet place to rest, process the news about John, and actually take enough time away from the thousands of needy people to eat a meal.

But something was about to throw a wrench into their vacation getaway plans.

And that something was a very demanding multitude. The people saw Jesus and His disciples get into the boat and head out onto the sea. They narrowed down the list of possible destinations, and immediately took off on foot to try to beat them there. The news spread like wildfire that Jesus was going to be near, and people from all the surrounding cities came running to meet Him too.

Mark 6:33 says, “But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them, and came together to Him.”

This past summer I developed the habit of sitting on the front porch in the early morning to do my Bible study. Basking in the warm air, I would settle into my chair and look across the gently waving field grass, gratefully breathing in my blessed solitude. But as soon as the kids heard the barely perceptible squeak of the front door, a sleepy eyed child would wander out and take the folding chair next to me. Then the cat would slink up the porch steps and bat at my pens when I tried to journal. Finally the child would take advantage of my “alone-ness” to hold a one-sided conversation while I tried desperately to concentrate on reading at least one verse before breakfast. I needed that time alone, and yet I couldn’t ever quite manage it.

I’m sure when the disciples saw thousands of cheering fans lined up on the shores of their getaway spot, they were annoyed and overwhelmed. But Jesus, our precious savior, saw something different.

He saw the wandering multitude for what they were. Lost, weary sheep, in need of a shepherd.

“And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34.

Jesus was moved with compassion. He felt the suffering of the desperate lambs, and could not turn His back on them. Instead, He drew them in closer, taught them, and healed their sick (Matthew 14:14).

He was the shepherd they needed, and He’s the shepherd I need.

True shepherds don’t run at the first sign of trouble. They are firm and steadfast pillars keeping the sheep safe from wolves and thieves. These loving shepherds tenderly lead the sheep, healing their wounds, and bringing them to lush, green pastures. Jesus himself spoke of His compassionate care for His sheep in John 10:11-18 (ESV)

Listen to His beautiful words of life and His tender heart towards us.

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

The Lord’s compassion for the weary multitudes is unparalleled.

His love is without measure and He never gets too tired to help us and shepherd us with His goodness. Isaiah 40:28 says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.”

I love that in my weakness and uncertainty, I can throw myself fully into the arms of my trustworthy and faithful God. I find rest in His promises and in His daily, specific help that sometimes comes before I even ask. Comfort and strength comes to me, a very weak and weary mom, as I meditate on the end of Isaiah 40 verses 29-31…..

“He(the Lord) gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

So take heart dear one. Even though we’ve got a sheepfold full of troubles, a babbling crowd at our feet, and the tail end of our patience on a short fuse, we have an everlasting Shepherd. He’s the God of all comfort, and the Savior who already conquered the world. Let’s commit ourselves to Him as He teaches us many things. In this way our burdens are made lighter in the peace of His presence. Take heart. He’s already overcome the world (John 16:33NIV) and I know that He can bring peace to our crowd too.

Take a moment:

1. Pray: Lord Jesus, my eternal Shepherd, I feel overwhelmed by the neediness of my little flock of sheep. They are so desperate for me and for what I can provide, and yet I feel totally inadequate to give them anything. I need You so much to work a miracle in my heart. Show me who You are and help me to develop the qualities of a good shepherd by learning from you. Precious, Holy Jesus, thank You that You are so compassionate to us…that You didn’t leave us helpless and hopeless, but You came to save us. Fill me with more of You today so that I can continue to pour out the hope of Jesus to my sweet little ones. You are so good Lord, so good to me. Thank You for always being my Shepherd. I love you! In Jesus Name, Amen.

2. Choose a reference to meditate on as you walk through life today.

John 16:33

John 10:11-18

Matthew 14:10-14

Mark 6:27-34

Isaiah 40:28-31

3: Instead of escaping the next time the noise of the crowd wears on you, lower your voice to a whisper and invite your children into your space. Build a blanket fort with a few chairs and a quilt and then read them a story. Give them some sweet hugs and kisses, or work a puzzle together in the cozy space. You might enjoy it more than you think!