"So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:6 (NIV)

One of my first jobs was at a little nursing home where I helped take care of patients in the Alzheimer’s unit. While caring for people battling such a difficult disease created many challenges, there was also a lot of laughter.

Mostly because of a sweet, tiny lady named Bunny. Bunny slid her walker through the hallways singing all kinds of songs. Some of the other caregivers told me Bunny was one of the original munchkins from The Wizard of Oz. I believed it, too, as she was something incredible!

As Bunny would party through the hallways, the other patients echoed her melody and amusing sounds filled the air. As I’d pass Bunny on my rounds, I’d look at her and say, "Sing it, girl!" And then, she’d take it up a notch and we’d laugh until our sides ached.

Bunny’s sounds made everyone’s experience at the nursing home much brighter.

Here’s the thing: While it’s true not everyone can sing (Hello, have you seen American Idol?), we all have some type of voice flowing from our lives.

But is it a harmonious sound, or is it just noise? Because there is a difference.

One definition for noise is "a nonharmonious or discordant group of sounds." When we go back further, we learn the word "noise" originated from the Latin word "nausea" meaning "sea sickness."

Using those definitions, noise is annoying and no one wants to hear it. It’s hard to think over noise. Ever hear a momma say to a room full of kids banging on toys, "Quit making all that noise!" It’s distracting at best, and downright painful at worst.

Bunny’s singing wasn’t perfect, and sometimes it got really loud, but it always accomplished the same thing: joy.

It was a sound that needed to be heard.

I like today’s key verse, Romans 15:6, because it paints a clear picture about what it means to be a sound of God: "So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

One voice, which elevates God.I don’t want to make noise with my life. I want to make sounds this generation desperately needs to hear so that they, too, will love God.

The sound of God is one of peace, joy, gentleness and harmony. It’s also a sound that unifies us, not divides us. I think noise would be everything opposite: hate, conflict and rudeness.

So, here’s the question I’m asking myself each day about what’s flowing from me:

Is this a sound I’m making today or is it just noise?

I know I won’t always be right on key, but I want the sounds I make to elevate God, encourage others and bring joy to dark places. To bring harmony where there is discord.

And you, my friend, have a powerful sound ready to flow through you. So go … "Sing it, girl!"

God, thank You for the perfect sound, which came from heaven, Jesus. Help us to live our lives making that sound more joyful each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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TRUTH FOR TODAY:

1 Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (NIV)

Psalm 19:14, "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

If you’re looking to speak words that others long to hear, Karen Ehman’s latest book, Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It and When to Say Nothing at All, might be a helpful resource for you.

For more encouragement from Nicki Koziarz, visit her blog.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What are some areas in your life that are keeping you from making a powerful sound to elevate God? Take some time and ask God for wisdom on overcoming those situations.

© 2015 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.