Let Us Whistle Whilst We Work

 “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy!" – Psalm 47

I like to whistle as I work. Why? Because I enjoy work; I enjoy labor (as long as it’s not too intensive, laborious, or hot outside); and I enjoy being productive. 

When one is happy, it is most natural to sing, whistle, or demonstrate the joy one is feeling through the outward manifestations of song and dance. Joy really isn’t joy until the body is involved. If you don’t believe me, just look at your dog’s tail when she’s about to get a treat, or when she hears the family car pull up into the driveway. Her joy is full and uncontainable, and her tail lets you know it. 

My lips are my tail, so to speak. When I’m happy, I whistle. Whistling has the added benefit of letting people know I’m around. It lets them know where they can find me. On more than one occasion my whistling has saved me from getting a door flung open into my oncoming face – and from inflicting grievous bodily harm on others while rounding a dark, blind corner. 

I don’t think anyone else in the family whistles – or at least not that I’ve heard, but that’s OK. Not all are called to whistle. Some hum; others bebop to the beat of whatever’s playing through their earbuds; still others work quietly, letting the peace and tranquility of silence serve notice to the world of an inner harmony. After all, when it comes to happiness, there are no rules – there’s “just right.” 

I think God is a whistler. Astronomers and astrophysicists tell us that they can hear the music of the universe – the music of creation – through their huge radio telescopes. Although I don’t understand the technology they utilize, I understand what they’re saying. The music of the spheres bears witness to the glory of our Creator. 

I don’t think there is nearly enough whistling these days – real or figurative. It seems to me that too much time is wasted firing off diatribes on social media or moaning over news and commentary that assails us 24/7. We need to become a fellowship of Steves (a character in To Have and Have Not, 1944) invited and encouraged to whistle: “... you put your lips together, and blow!”

We live in serious times, of course, but I’m not sure that seriousness is the problem. Life is a serious business; keeping a roof over one’s head and food on one’s table is certainly challenging and trying. It’s nothing to be laughed at or scoffed at, but does it require folks to act so dour and sour all the time? 

It isn’t a question of seriousness, but a lack of thankfulness or heart-felt gratitude (failing to appreciate what we do, indeed, have). I need to ask my more somber brothers and sisters: When faced with a challenge, would you rather find yourself in the company of those who wring their hands and fret, or with those who eagerly roll up their sleeves and dive into the fray with gusto? 

Teddy Roosevelt was one of those people who delighted in diving into a problem whole-heartedly. He was convinced it was far better to try mighty things and fail, than to try nothing and succeed. Life is a great and wonderful gift, given to us by God, and it would be a terrible waste of that good gift if we could not approach life with humility and grace, and tackle the challenges before us with a certain élan begotten by love, joy, peace, happiness, and thanksgiving. 

If I have a choice – and I think we all do – I prefer to live life as a happy fool who dares great things, rather than to live so carefully and soberly that the only evidence of my having passed this way would be a wan, gray trail of veritable slug slime. 

I believe God whistled this, our valley into existence; we do not honor God by slugging our way through life. Rather, we honor God best when we whistle, dance, or clap our hands before him. You and I are God’s Opus; how tweet it is! 

From my lips to your ears, O Lord: Hallelujah!

Keith Axberg writes on matters concerning life and faith. Author of: Who the Blazes is Jesus? Good News for a Vulgar World (available through Amazon in Print and e-book)