Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord!by Dr. Geraldine Harris-McInnis
During this Christmas season we may find ourselves trying to get in the spirit of gladness, giving and gratitude. There are constant reminders of carols, such as, 'Tis the season to be jolly...falalalalalalalala! However, the closer we get to the falalala the weaker our energy and voice tones seems to get. We may not "feel like" Christmas because of problems, pressures or predicaments. So we fake it until we can make it through the season!
Then there are the faithful and excited ones who have decorations spiraling throughout their houses and the Christmas lights blinking feverishly! They are singing, chuckling and scurrying to all the malls. "What world are they living in? When was the last time they read the newspapers? Take it easy, why don't you!" These may be the thoughts that are rolling around in some people's minds.
The extreme contradictions in one transition remind me of the account in Ezra when the Israelites returned from captivity to rebuild the temple that was once a spectacular site. It was in a devastating condition when they returned from bondage. Upon their return a new foundation was laid. The priests and Levites, afterwards, led the people into a time of worship and praise. But soon the breakdown came.
The ancient men remembered the first temple and they began to weep loudly. The younger generation started rejoicing because a renewal project was in process and they began to rejoice with shouts of exuberance! The Bible states "that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off." Ezra 3:13 (KJV)
During pivotal times of transition in our lives we are faced with two distinct sounds. On one side of the pendulum there are the sounds of joy and celebration. On the other side of the pendulum there are the voices of disappointment and anguish. It's part of the changing of seasons. The season I'm referring to is not Christmas. It's that time of advancement and change that leads us from a familiar place of purpose right into an awaiting new threshold. It's a time in which we will have to shift how we do things and prepare ourselves for a system change. Each new season that we enter should be one given to expectation, preparation and celebration.
How can we as preachers help to lighten the load of our parishioners if we are in dismay because of precious memories of how it used to be? This is a critical time of decline in our nations and people are looking for hopeful solutions in dreadful pollution. I believe we can lift the bar of depression and lift the hearts of many negative minded people through our influence and words of encouragement.
1. We must forget about those things which are behind and reach forth unto those things which are before. Philippians 3:13,14 (KJV)
2. We must build hope in the hearts and minds of people. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report." Hebrews 11:1,2 (KJV)
3. We must believe that this is the season to be jolly. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...A time to weep and a time to laugh...He hath made everything beautiful in his time." Ecclesiastes 3:1,4,11 (KJV). The Apostle Paul reminds us to rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (KJV)
Let's create an atmosphere of acceptance for the new and appreciation for the old as we look to God for restructuring, repair and renewal in all of our lives and ministries. Let's get back out there and lead the people as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Dr. Geraldine McInnis lives in Bowie, MD and is joined in marriage and ministry with her husband Larry for over 30 years. They have three adult children and one grandson.Geraldine earned her Masters Degree in Christian Counseling and a Doctorate in Theology. She is a crisis interventionist and has pastored for over 16 years.She is one of the refreshing prophetic voices in the Christian arena. Visit Dr. Mom at: www.DrLadyGMcInnis.org and www.myspace.com/dr_gmcinnis