Lifting Up our Voice

Out of all the ways that we can express ourselves, music might very well be the most powerful form. Music and songs can cross all languages and cultures. It is amazing how it can express sorrow, joy, excitement, tension, anger, pondering and so much more. Words are limited by language, but it seems music supersedes them all. I was listening to a talent show, loving the variety of people and talents. Apparently, when the judges take a break, a microphone is passed around the audience for people just to spontaneously sing whatever is on their heart. Usually, it is just a fun activity, but there really isn’t an expectation of anything brilliant. Why? If they had the talent, surely they would already be on the stage performing. On this particular evening, an eleven-year-old girl got a hold of the microphone and started to sing, “Amazing Grace”. There are a lot of song selections that we might expect from a young woman, buy most of us would not have chosen that particular song. It is obvious that she must have had a good upbringing in the Christian faith. Back to the young woman. From her mouth came a beautiful song filled with passion and style. She was invited from the audience to the stage, where she sang that hymn so beautifully. Does music fill your day? Are you singing in the shower, or has that just become something you have to do? Showers for many are that avenue through which they can express their heart. Is there music on in the car that fills your life with amazing expressions? Do you sing when you are doing chores or basic activities around the house? I believe that the world would truly be a more dismal place if music wasn’t allowed to flourish. We need the old hymns, the classical music, jazz, and contemporary sounds for they are all an expression of the heart. It is also good to find the lyrics to better understand the presentation. Some of the great hymns make so much more sense when we read it without having to cater to a specific rhythm or meter. When you get to church on Sunday, look up the hymns ahead of time and take some time to really become familiar with them. Let the power of the words lead you before the music brings it all together. In Psalm 111, “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.” Amen