Making a Joyful Noise?

“A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” Maya Angelou

In 1990, I sang my first solo in church. I believe it was "Friend of a Wounded Heart" by Wayne Watson. My knees were knocking and my voice was shaking. But I made it through. Since then I have led music part-time and sang many solos and never turned down an opportunity to sing when asked. I have sung in choirs and musicals and quartets and in praise bands. However, the greatest joy I have is when I am driving back from work and I click off the radio. I lift my voice and sing a hymn or two...sometimes "Amazing Grace" or "It is Well With My Soul". Sometimes I sing a worship chorus or just whatever comes to mind. It is so much better than singing along to the radio. There are no rules. There are no critics and no audience listening. It is only me and God and a joyful noise. It is liberating and exhilarating and it takes all my cares and concerns and throws them out the window for a few minutes. What a gift it is to sing..and in this case you don't even have to be able to sing...because NO ONE cares and no one is listening. So give it a shot.

There is nothing else that I would rather do. If I had to have all my talents taken away and left with one, it would be my voice...no doubt. In 2007, I penned a poem about music and singing. I have to warn you ahead of time. My poems don't usually rhyme and this one is simply a series of questions with a defining statement at the end. So make a joyful noise..or a "holy racket"!!!

The Story of a Song

What moves in us to open our mouths
and produce a rhythm of poetry and prose?
Is it not enough to write it down or speak it?
When did the first human discover the releasing
power of their voice in controlled cries of inner passion?
Is it a part of the fabric of human expression?
Why do the groanings of meager mortals change the spirit
and lift the emotions of a hardened heart?
Is it necessary to bridge the gap between heaven and earth?
How can the flowing prayers of mankind reach a heaven so high
and bring a smile to omnipotence?
It is a story that can only be told in the angelic language of song.