Sydney summers are synonymous with the sound of cicadas. Living near the bush, my family is accustomed to their distinctive din. This year they’ve been particularly loud—deafening at times! It was amusing to see the reaction of our visitor from Western Australia who joined us over Christmas. He hadn’t seen or heard cicadas before. Needless to say, he’s not a fan!
Cicadas are curious creatures with their strange, googly eyes and transparent wings. According to the Australian Museum, they’re the loudest insects in the world, with more than 200 species found across Australia. Some species are so loud that their call approaches the pain threshold of the human ear! Their lives are brief—just a few weeks—and their relentless sound serves two purposes: attracting a mate and warning off predators.
A single cicada’s call is of minimal impact. It’s the combined chorus that becomes overwhelming. This got me thinking: as Christians, a single voice may seem small, even insignificant. But when we join together in unity, our combined voices can have an extraordinary impact. Like the cicadas, we can rise above the distractions of the world—not to irritate, but to proclaim the life-changing good news about Jesus.
The Communication Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific is committed to this mission. Through websites, social media, podcasts and print media, we are working together to share Jesus’ message of hope and love. But our voice can only be effective if we all join in.
As we step into 2025, let’s embrace this opportunity. Like the cicadas, let’s make our presence known, not with noise that annoys, but with a harmonious message that inspires and uplifts. Let’s commit to uniting our efforts and boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus.
Psalm 66:8 says, “Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard.” May our lives, our words and our actions create a symphony of praise that draws others to the Saviour. Together, let’s make a joyful noise for Jesus.
