Greetings in the name of “Yahweh-raah” (the Lord is my shepherd) … and Jesus Christ – THE Crucified and Risen Saviour! What a strange morning as we wait for the forecasted snow to begin falling and another visit from ‘winter’ to touch our lives. I trust that all is well in your world – with you and your family. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to be the “shepherd” that looks after the practical needs of your life and lovingly, but firmly, deals with the issues that will give security and direction.
I came across two cd’s in my collection that I had almost forgotten. Truth be told, I think they were put aside because they were simply instrumental arrangements of songs that we were being sung at that time. I liked them because they had a ‘celtic flavour’ and they were happy. However, I buried them under several other favourite cd’s….some of those I had almost forgotten too. Anyway, I put one in the player and listened to the music…and before I knew what was happening…the words were dancing around in my mind and bouncing out of my mouth.
I have to be honest – my words might not have been the exact right ones according to a lyric sheet … I sometimes forget and make up my own words. It seems like a logical thing to do – because at this point a ‘shift’ has taken place and I am now a participant in worshipping God and not being a spectator joining a worship team doing it right and proper.There is something about allowing your ‘spirit’ to respond to a melody that is surrounding you and the process of creating words that reflect what is being formed and transformed within you begins. Perhaps that is what the Psalmist means when he says: Sing to the LORD a new song…Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD…I will sing to the LORD all my lkife; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live — Psalm 96:1; 96:1; 104:33.
Try this at some time today: stop whatever you are doing and shut-off the tv/radio/music source and simply sit quietly – listening for the melody of your life; let words-your words tumble into your mind and heart; don’t try to arrange or manipulate the words; let the words fall out of your mouth in a personal praise ‘song’ to God; allow the words to mingle with the melody that you heard — Sing to the Lord a new song – your song! Don’t rush away from this experience – let it flow until you sense it is done. Now give God thanks for giving you a ‘song’ that is unique as you are.
Be blessed!