My Paisley Chair

Do you need me to whistle? Getting someone to stop in their tracks (like running out in traffic sort of a thing), sending up a signal that I’m lost or just separated in a store, or just gaining attention for prayer at the start of a church fellowship dinner, these are all within my skillset. I don’t always ask, especially when it is obvious that a whistle is called for. However, the other night when Ashley was presenting at a ladies gathering, where they were having way too much fun to hear her trying to get their attention, I asked. A resounding NO! was the reply. Ok, give it your best shot, but you know I’d be happy to help.  

While reading scripture the other day I was encouraged by the fact that I was trained to respond to whistles. Not only did I learn to respond to whistles, but I can also whistle ‘bout as loud as anyone I know. Thank you very much and you are welcome!

Back in the day, when growing up was much easier, we were encouraged to play outside with only a few parameters. First, we had to be home by the time the streetlight came on – which during Texas summers could be as late as 9 PM. And … we had to be within earshot of dad’s whistle. The fact that Dad could be heard one street over and about 1/2 block up from home was known to all the neighborhood kids. His whistle cadence was like no other, it was easily recognized as our call to come home. And everyone knew we better get going home before a 2nd whistle! Mom was famous for “don’t make me tell you again” and Dad was known to say, “I better not have to whistle twice.”

The realization that God also whistles for us to come home is amazing! I’ve been trained to do this since an early age.  Zach 10:8-10 “I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return. I will bring them home.”

Or as the Message translation reads: “I’ll whistle, and they’ll all come running. I’ve set them free—oh, how they’ll flourish! Their children will get in on it, too— oh, let them feel blessed by GOD!”

Oh, that I would be quick to respond to the whistle of God to come home and that He would never have to whistle twice! There is a great blessing in being able to recognize and respond to the call of God.

In 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein made the song I Whistle A Happy Tune famous in the production of The King & I. And while a sweet little ditty can be comforting, it is nothing at all like the powerful whistle of God. For not only do His children come home to His whistle, when He whistles the whole host of heaven are summoned and at the ready to accomplish whatever He commands. (Isa 5:25-26 “He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come!”) Not necessarily a “happy tune” or sweet melody, when God is demonstrating His power.

It is a comfort to know that when I need the host of heaven to respond to God on my behalf, they are just a whistle away. Whether near or far, God can summon help and it will come speedily to execute justice and aid. What a great assurance that when we call, God answers.

Who hears the whistle of God? The attentive, the prepared for action, those far and near, friend or foe, can hear the whistle of God. Whether He needs to stop you in your tracks, help you find Him when you are separated from Him, or just encourage you to pray, He will make sure to capture your attention. All of this is within His skillset!

To them that have ears to hear, let them hear the whistle of God. He may even whistle a happy tune over you too.