Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth….Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God….Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. (from Psalm 100 NASB)
In the fertile soil of smaller gatherings where questions are permitted, I have discovered that some are puzzled with this week’s theme; The Song. Words were not even necessary. Their countenances posed the question, “What’s singing got to do with me?” Fair question. I love the dialogue that can occur between people who are hungry and searching. I love hearing people’s questions. I love the exchange of ideas among those whose hearts are not so dead-certain pertaining to things about God. I believe the fertility of smaller gatherings is linked to the safety people feel to ask their toughest God-questions.
OK, let’s concede that your pastor may not have recently (or ever) preached on “the song” per se but let’s not abandon the idea too quickly. Let’s just modify it to become; the theme-song. And let’s think about our theme-song as the music that plays over and over in our minds – the same (all to oft) discordant tunes that are so familiar (and yet so harmful) to us. In that case our “singing” would simply be the “living” we have done as a consequence of the music within us. So, “the song”, in this sense, is more important than we think because, as our theme, it is the music playing unchallenged in the backdrop of our lives, coloring all of our choices, dictating the expression of our lives. If you are getting my drift, we are all singing our songs all the time.
Our songs are composed over the course of our lives. Sadly, most never intentionally contribute to their songs. They are just written for us by default by the happenstance of our experience. However, in the tension of high stakes spiritual warfare, the enemy is intentional and we should tremble at the idea and war against any notion of happenstance as it regards our songs. In the cultural backdrop of our lives there is the competing siren songs, gladly serving their demonic masters as our guides; providing us with their own alternate and shaded interpretations of our experience.
If life is just happening to us, a corrupted reality is being imprinted on us by default. If our songs are being shaped by the world, they will become dirges that drive our worst nightmares. It is in this uncensored, unmonitored atmosphere that the prince of this world operates. In carefully metered dosages he injects his well-crafted distortions into society, leading us like unwitting cattle to the judgement that awaits him and all those he may dupe. We must intentionally contribute to our own songs. It turns out, our songs are a life or death matters.
As agents of choice, we (the elect) are not exempt from the war. I’m sure Satan has reveled over his gains among God’s people. Most of us are indiscriminate consumers of popular culture and everything the world is selling. Consequently her (the church’s) song can barely be heard in western culture. However, we can take heart because God too is intentional and being in bondage is not his intent. Given that a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, believe our dirges are destined to become anthems.
One major theme in my song is “the heart”. A few years ago, because of distress in body and soul that was playing out unfavorably in my emotions and in my relationships I began asking myself if something might be amiss with my song. As I looked a bit closer (with help from a few really good brothers) I discovered I did actually have a song within me. The problem however was that it’s title was, It Is Not So Well With My Soul.
I have discovered that another theme in my song is “the Church”. Over the past few years, the Lord has been editing my song. Consequently, the word church has new meanings for me today. I believe our understanding of it has become so distorted that we need to intentionally, respectfully and lovingly re-crafted its definition. Not for all, but for many (if not most), church is a place and/or an event that can be attended. By attending people are made to feel a part of it (kind of) once or twice a week. Hence the questions; “Where do you go to church?” or “What time does church start?” For some time, I have been wondering if it would not be beneficial for us to ask God this question;
“Father, when You sing Your song, what comes to mind regarding “church”? What is Your definition of that word? I can imagine God saying;
“When I think of the Church, I think of my Bride, the One that makes my heart sing. Each of my unique children have their own special songs. They each contribute their unique rhythms, melodies and harmonies to compose the symphony of the ages, “The Song of The Lamb”. It will be sung at our Marriage Supper. I am eagerly yet patiently longing for that day. I am praying for my children that they are too.” (Check out Isaiah 25:6-9 for more about this scheduled event. Please RSVP directly to the Father.)
But, before our songs can merge harmonically and become the sound we were collectively created to make, we must share far more in common than we currently do. Perhaps a good working definition of church that is biblically anchored and spirit led would serve as a good melody line for our song. I don’t know whose in charge of that department so I will just throw an idea out there to those in charge (whoever that is). Here is my best stab……
…..the Church is God’s myriad selection of diverse souls, in whom His Spirit resides; who are learning their indispensable and unique songs and are learning to sing them out joyfully and boldly over cities and nations, all under the direction of the Holy Spirit who, through these long awaited songs, is continually wooing the spirits of men to come home.
Application? Isaiah 26:3 says, “The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because He trusts in Thee”.
As I think of what a steadfast mind might look like, I think of “the heart” that is being intentionally and diligently watched over. (Proverbs 4:23). I also think of Romans 12: 2 “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. These verses are simply saying that in the song God is sovereignly making of our lives, we still bear responsibility in its recomposition. We bear responsibility to discover our songs, nurture them in relationship to God’s Spirit and to boldly sing them everywhere we go.
Father, would You teach us our songs? Would You please release those true shepherds among us who are gifted in helping us recognize and care for our own music? Would You continue to sing over us until our hearts and minds are collaborating – enabling us to become those singers You seek who are worshipping You in Spirit and Truth. May Your Bride herself soon produce those harmonic vibrations within the realm of men’s spirit’s, awakening us from our songlessness. Amen.
Application; What is the name of your song? I promise, you have one. Your answer could be very important! When we see each other or exchange stories, would you please tell me the name of Your song? If we are even half honest, that question should stimulate a worthy conversation. An even more interesting experiment might be to ask those around us, “What song do you hear me singing?”
Until we stand before Him…..
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth….Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God….Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.