What sounds have you heard that instantly go straight from your ears to your heart and soul?  While taking an early morning hike the other day, I noticed it was unusually quiet.  Staci was tagging along on this hike.  She was in it for the exercise.  I was in it for the…… well, the chance to be outdoors.  As we both were walking we realized that it was so quiet, you could hear everything.

See, we got an early start.  We both experienced seeing the sun come up.  We were early enough that the frost was still shiny and glistening on the ground.  As we were taking in the moment of a Mississippi morning, it dawned on me how quiet it was.  Even Staci noticed the quiet.  She noticed it so much that she even stopped talking, which for her is well, uncommon.  😉

When you notice how quiet everything is, that’s when you hear all the sounds.  Listen with me as I recall hearing woodpeckers, a dog barking far way, small sparrows chirping as we walk through the grass.  The bluebirds were doing their mating calls. The sounds of things in the distance are amplified by the cold weather.  I hear a deer snort.  I immediately tell Staci, “Look, there’s a deer ahead in the path!”  I had not even seen it, but I had heard it.  Sure enough as if on cue, two deer stepped out ahead of us and trotted on into the woods.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord  Psalm 150:6  OK, OK, I know the bird is singing to claim it’s territory.  The dog is barking at an animal.  The coyote is howling at the moon.  My human companion has started talking again.  😉  But even in their everyday activities all these creatures that have breath are giving Glory to God just by BEING!  Praise Him!

“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” 
Ephesians 5:19 

So, what if only the top three birds were the only ones allowed to sing?  You wouldn’t get to hear a turkey, owl, hawk, crane, or woodpecker.  All these creatures make a beautiful noise in their own way.

What if you only get to hear the top three humans sing.  and just who would that be?  Elvis? Lady Gaga? “Fill in the Blank”?   It probably wouldn’t include me and you on the list.  But what’s stopping you.  When things get quiet enough, (meaning all distractions are put aside),  that’s when your sound can be made and heard.  Sing from the heart.  Make a joyful noise.  You don’t even have to sing one of the top three Praise songs of all time.  It just might be a Tom Petty song like “Runnin’ Down a Dream”.  But you are singing in the shower, or on the way to work and it’s as natural as a bird singing everyday on the trail behind my house.  Do it because you have breath.  Do it because it’s you.  Do it because deep down it’s now for God’s Glory.

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher/ songwriter