“You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures” (Psalms 16:11).

In Havelock, North Carolina, there’s an air station where F14s and fighter jets train for the Marines. The roar from the jet planes is so loud that it sounds like ocean waves crashing. Upon coming into Havelock, there’s a sign that reads, “Pardon our noise, it’s the sound of freedom.”

Whoever told someone that Christians are a quiet bunch never understood the Lord’s heart for celebration. There is a time to be still and quiet before the Lord, but there’s also a time to celebrate.

As we discussed previously, we see the importance of family and setting people in community, but we aren’t just doing this so that they have someone to run to when their world is falling apart-we do this so that they will be championed.

The Lord loves celebration-He invented celebration. Angels rejoice in heaven; all creation speaks of the works of His hands; even the rocks cry out in praise to Him. We are people of praise, and we are called to champion those around us to pursue their purpose and their calling in God.

Some people have never known encouragement from family. Some have never known what it’s like to be celebrated, encouraged, and championed in life. But when someone chooses the path of life instead of the path of death, and they begin to seek their purpose and destiny in the Father, they should have a rally behind them. No one goes unnoticed in God’s house-everyone has a place at His table.

Every time someone gets set free, the Church raises praise. Praise is the sound of freedom, and the Lord is looking for those who would rave when a new brother or sister accepts Him.

We don’t give golf claps in God’s family-we celebrate like we mean it because hell’s lost another one. Satan lost another one and our tribe gained a brother, a sister. We are a family that champions one another to run the race well. When one gets tired, we pick them up, and we keep on going.

It’s not quite here in this family. We’re a roaring, rowdy bunch. So, pardon our noise-it’s the sound of freedom.