When my youngest sister was still a toddler, I could tell she inherited our mother’s musical talent and proclivity. As soon as the worship music began, she was up and ready to belt it out! This led to my idea for this making a joyful noise cartoon.
The phrase, “joyful noise,” comes from the King James version of Psalm 100:1. It’s a short chapter that packs a powerful message of why worship music is an important part of a church service.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Psalm 100:1 (KJV)
Now many could argue that there’s too much noise and not enough meaningful worship these days. It’s nothing new. The same arguments have been going on for millennia. It’s akin to the phrase, “Kids these days!” Someone is always going to argue the music needs to be more “praise and worship-py!”
More Cowbell!
Therefore, worship style is not my point. You may not like the music I prefer and vice versa. I may prefer a band complete with guitars, synthesizer and more cowbell.
On the other hand, you may prefer a piano, pipe organ along with a powdered wig. And chances are a church on the other side of the world has music that you and I can’t understand and have a hard time appreciating. Whoever said music is the universal language totally overlooked different styles and preferences.
Make the Noise Joyful
Instead, my point is to make some noise with passion and a full heart. My eighth grade choir teacher defined music as organized noise. The way I would like it organized may not appeal to you. And a toddler’s full-throttle praise may puzzle a set-in-their-ways-middle-ager. That’s okay!
So tomorrow, I’m going to make an effort to pay less attention to the musical style and the talent. I plan instead to make a joyful noise and let my heart sing out. By the way, that boisterous toddler turned out to be a woman with an angel’s voice; just like our mom!
I drew this cartoon for the November 2022 CHOGNews.
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
