Earplugs

While I was on my first visit to the Robertson County Veterans Benefits officer, the VA representative asked if I had any hearing loss or tinnitus. I responded that I had started wearing earplugs in my church’s worship services. He asked, “Do you go to Long Hollow Baptist Church?”  “Why, yes,” I responded in surprise. Then, we both had a little chuckle.

Indeed, the music in my church’s worship services is loud. I do not like to think that my church meetings are known for the volume of their worship services, but I cannot disagree with the label.

I wear foam earplugs at church for two reasons. First, I need to manage the volume in the room.

While pastoring, there was a frequent complaint that the volume was too loud or soft. Or the temperature was too hot or too cold.  Sometimes even in the same worship service. I don’t think we ever hit a satisfactory middle where no one complained. I decided then that one of the things I would not take to the church I joined in retirement was the urge to complain about my discomforts. I like to sit in the front row, and that doesn’t help, but I would rather be upfront and personal. If I was uncomfortable, it was my discomfort and my responsibility to do something about it. So, I asked Amazon to send me a package of earplugs, and they were happy to do so. The plugs are sky blue and sometimes match the color of my eyes.  

If God led me to a particular fellowship of believers, I need to adapt.  I’m not about to complain; it’s counterproductive to what I long to do in “church gatherings: worship my Creator and connect with the folks who come together to worship and welcome me to join in with them.

The second benefit was unexpected! With the plugs in, I could hear myself sing. As a result, I now whisper-sing. That also helped with the room’s volume—the sound’s quality and quantity. To those who have ever sat around me, “You’re welcome.”

Attending worship is a community event (a community of like-hearted believers). I do not care about the music style, but the testimonial passion expressed in the worship music. It’s not the performance; it’s communal participation.

One additional benefit for me is that with the earplugs in, the super low notes of the bass guitar and bass drum are like chest compressions. Not only do I like to feel the music, but when I leave, I breathe better—a double win.

As I have aged, my hearing has diminished precipitously. I would have expected the high volume to be a plus for me, but it is not. I experience a painful buzz as the volume grows. I also attempt to exit gatherings of multiple talkers in small spaces, be it three or three thousand. I would rather stand out in the rain than experience sensory overload.

I would not change one iota of our Long Hollow worship music. I sometimes miss the “church music” of my youth, particularly the words of testimony in some of the hymns, but I do not miss the congregation’s often mumbling ho-hum singing.

This may sound like I’m presenting a negative opinion stump speech. That is not what I wanted to do.

 If you have trouble with the direction your church music is going or not going, don’t complain. Ask questions of your leadership and trust them. Change is probably in your future walk with God; allow it to happen. A new, refreshing wind is coming that will attend your worship and lift your walk. Go worship where you sense the presence of God.

Remember, worship is not about how you feel but about how God feels. When God feels worshiped, the worshiper always feels the presence of God. Worship is not about style but about wholehearted submission.

For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him. 1 Chronicles 16:9 CSB

Photo – I thought it was time to put in one of my bowls. It is made of maple.