05-23-2014
2 Chronicles 20: 21-22 – “And when he [Jehosaphat] had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
‘Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.’
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”
I’ve often told my wife, “I could listen to Alison Krauss sing names from the phone book.” Her voice is just that beautiful to me. But I have to admit that as angelic as that voice is, if she were to only sing with one note, eventually it would become more of an irritation than a joy. That instrument was created with both range and depth that are meant to be used fully.
In coming to Christ we become people who live lives that are a part of a vast and beautiful symphony that has many movements and complex progressions. It has moments where dissonance and key changes move it forward, as well as having moments that are marked by serene harmony and peaceful melodies that are each, on their own, things of beauty, but that contribute to the whole of the composition.
When we who are meant to sing the masterfully composed Gospel chorus pick only one note and continue to constantly pound on that single pitch angrily and without mercy, we are choosing to ignore the fullness of the work that the Maestro has given us. In this we can also cause others to walk away from the noisy mess that we create instead. Dissonance only creates beauty if it is a tool used to move the music forward, transitioning the piece to the next emotion experienced by the listener.
We want to go into battle carrying the sword, God sent his armies onto the battlefield with songs of praise first. (Jericho anyone?) So in the immortal words of the Carpenters, “Sing! Sing a song.” But be sure to sing the fullness of God’s glory. Sing of the dissonance caused by sin, but also sing the melody of the forgiveness of God’s Son; sing of the beauty of Grace. They are key movements in the aria of God’s living symphony.
Sing with one voice, but never with one note.
Be blessed, and may the Spirit sing through you to bring truth and beauty to the world around you in all that you are led to do today.
‘Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.’
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”
I’ve often told my wife, “I could listen to Alison Krauss sing names from the phone book.” Her voice is just that beautiful to me. But I have to admit that as angelic as that voice is, if she were to only sing with one note, eventually it would become more of an irritation than a joy. That instrument was created with both range and depth that are meant to be used fully.
In coming to Christ we become people who live lives that are a part of a vast and beautiful symphony that has many movements and complex progressions. It has moments where dissonance and key changes move it forward, as well as having moments that are marked by serene harmony and peaceful melodies that are each, on their own, things of beauty, but that contribute to the whole of the composition.
When we who are meant to sing the masterfully composed Gospel chorus pick only one note and continue to constantly pound on that single pitch angrily and without mercy, we are choosing to ignore the fullness of the work that the Maestro has given us. In this we can also cause others to walk away from the noisy mess that we create instead. Dissonance only creates beauty if it is a tool used to move the music forward, transitioning the piece to the next emotion experienced by the listener.
We want to go into battle carrying the sword, God sent his armies onto the battlefield with songs of praise first. (Jericho anyone?) So in the immortal words of the Carpenters, “Sing! Sing a song.” But be sure to sing the fullness of God’s glory. Sing of the dissonance caused by sin, but also sing the melody of the forgiveness of God’s Son; sing of the beauty of Grace. They are key movements in the aria of God’s living symphony.
Sing with one voice, but never with one note.
Be blessed, and may the Spirit sing through you to bring truth and beauty to the world around you in all that you are led to do today.
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