There’s a craze going around the internet at present. It concerns a low-quality audio clip that says “Laurel” – or is it “Yanny”? This is a cause for great debate as some people hear the name “Laurel” and others hear “Yanny”.

I can vouch for this. While watching ABC News, I distinctly heard the name “Yanny”. But when I turned on my computer, the word I heard was clearly “Laurel”.

What’s going on here?

Experts tell us it’s all to do with the pitch of the sound. “Laurel” sits at the low end of the spectrum while “Yanny” sits at the high end. What you hear depends on how your ear tunes in. Meanwhile, the low quality nature of the sound says there are gaps in the audio.

The brain needs to compensate for this by offering an interpretation of what is being said. In other words, it is by no means clear whether the word is “Laurel” or “Yanny”. It all depends.

And life is a bit like this. It all depends!

Today there are many variables. No two days ever really seem the same. No two news stories ever appear to correlate. No two “truths” ever make much sense. Moreover, this postmodern era in which we live is shaped by subjectivity. Truth becomes relative. Experience dominates facts.

But what about matters of faith?

How do we hear the voice of God? And when we do, what are we to make of it?

In the tradition of the Uniting Church we believe everything is about Christ. Christ is the center, Christ is the reference point, Christ is the head and Christ is the herald of all that is true.

So, it’s no longer about our individual perceptions or our personal, subjective quests for meaning, purpose and truth. It’s no longer about what we choose to hear or interpret. Rather, it’s all about Jesus. Christ is our source. Christ is our rock. Christ is our foundation.

As you work your way through the fog that is life and as you try to make sense of the conflicting realities around you, remember the one sure foundation. Focus on the clearly visible light. Seize on that which is the clearest and most concise definition of what is true and right. Take of hold Jesus. Cling to Christ himself.

Friends, the name we need to hear today is neither “Laurel” or “Yanny”, its Jesus. Jesus is the One – and he always will be!

Rev John Barr