We all have different forms of alarm clocks.  Some make a chirping noise or an annoying buzz.  Or we may arise to our favorite radio station's musical selection.  Lately I've been waking up long before my alarm clock ever goes off.  It is not my intent to wake up to hear the chorus of bird melodies early in the morning, but that is what I've been doing for the past few weeks.  As I lay in bed during those pre-dawn hours, I've wondered if the birds are singing songs to the sun, coaxing it to come up and shine brightly.  Or maybe the momma and poppa birds are singing to their youngsters the song "Rise and Shine" in bird melody. 

One morning as I was listening to the birds, I was reminded of those pre-dawn hours of the time I spent in Guinea and being awakened by a different pre-dawn noise; that of roosters, donkeys and the Islam crier calling people to prayer.  The roosters crowing and donkeys braying reminded me of the country life.  The cry in a foreign language by the Islam "Adhan" reminded me that I wasn't in Kansas City!  I could hear the word Allah being repeated over and over again.  The English translation of his first two lines of his cry was "Allah is Most Great, I will bear witness that there is no god but Allah." 

Recently the women enrolled in the Psalm Bible class studied Psalm 98 and we talked about how verses 7-9 describe the whole earth singing to the Creator.  The roar of the waves; the cacophony of roars, barks, growls, and even squeaks belonging to the vast array of God's reptiles, birds, and mammals; the whisper of wind blowing through the leaves; the rumble of thunder as its companion lights up the sky; and yes, the chirping chorus of bird songs are just a few examples of God's gift of music that He has given to His people, displaying His wonder and power.  

Several thousand years ago, another melody of sound entered the Jerusalem house where the apostles were staying ten days after Christ's ascension, fifty days after His resurrection.  Luke writes, "Suddenly a sound of a blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house."  (Acts 2: 2)  I'm sure those gathered there were in awe, not only of the noise of the wind, but the noise that was coming from their mouths as they began trying to communicate with each other.  They were now enabled to communicate to the thousands gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, or the Festival of Harvest, from other nations.  They were able to share with them the marvelous story of their Savior's love that He has for all people.  They capitalized on the gift of noise to strengthen and build God's Church.

When you hear God's news, what melody comes from your lips?  Is your life filled with too many worldly voices that compete and drown out the voice of God like the useless chatter of the Islam crier?   Or do you take His words to heart and praise the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier with your actions and voice?

My prayer for you is that your days and nights are filled with a chorus of melodies that fill your heart, mind and soul, drawing you closer to the One who created them and to bring Him glory, honor and praise.

Enjoying the ride,