The Message in the Music
This morning as I was loading the dishwasher and placing dinner in the crockpot, I was talking to the Lord, but I kept getting distracted by a song that was floating around in my head. That song led to another and then another, and before long, I realized I had stopped praying altogether and was simply serenading myself and anyone else who cared to listen. When I realized how distracted I had become, I was, at first, upset with myself, but the more I thought about what I was singing, the more I realized that I was still praying and worshiping the Lord, just in a different way.
At that point, I had to stop and thank the Lord for music. I know that may sound silly to you, but when I think about all the times God has used a song to see me through a difficult time, I'm amazed. I appreciate soft instrumental music that gets my heart focused on God and quiets my spirit so that I can hear His still, small voice. I enjoy music that lightens my heart and sets my toes to tapping because of the joy that has worked its way from my heart to my foot. I cherish the songs that remind me of God's sacrifice on the cross, of His promises to me and of the heavenly home for which I long. Yes, to me, music is an indescribable blessing, and this morning I felt that I needed to take a moment to thank the Lord for it.
I admit, I felt a little silly. I mean, who thanks God for music? Well, I did, and evidently, God appreciated it because when I sat down to read my daily devotions I was met with this title: Something Special About a Song. The devotional went on to discuss Ephesians 5:19 which states, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Coincidence? Nah, I don't believe in those. I think it was God' way of reminding me to give thanks in everything, no matter how small, insignificant or silly it may seem. He longs for our joy and for our praise, and if something makes us happy, we ought to let Him know about it, right?
The fact of the matter is that I have a song to sing. . .several, in fact. I only need to be careful that unwanted melodies don't wiggle their way into my repertoire. In other words, I don't want "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" to be replaced with "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." Singing and making melody in our hearts is a good thing, as long as it's the right kind of melody. Good melodies should encourage, enlighten and help you feel at peace. They should draw your focus to God and to His Word. Bad melodies turn your focus to yourself, your problems and worldly solutions to those problems. They stir up feelings of discouragement, bitterness and rebellion.
Whether you can sing or play an instrument or struggle to carry a tune in a bucket, we all have a song to sing. The question is, what kind of song is it? Is it making a melody in our hearts to the Lord or to something altogether different?
Thank you, Lord, for giving us music to calm our hearts and restore our souls. Thank you for the joy it brings and for the opportunity You give us to sing praises unto You. But most of all, Lord, I want to thank you for the song in the night, the one that reminds us of Your loving care and encourages us to keep on keeping on. May we never take it for granted, and may we ever be mindful of the message in the music.
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. - Psalm 77:6