Sunday, July 26, 2015

Dearest God,

There was an expectancy in the air!  Our choir had spent all day on retreat with a highly talented music director who taught us how to breathe, to phrase, and to lift up our voices to sing your praise.  He challenged us to make our music flow, to speak the message the song was intended to convey.  He asked us to let our faith show.

When I awoke this morning, I could hardly wait to get to church.  I was anxious to sing, to let it all out, to make my words yours and your love theirs.  Walking up the stairs to the choir room, I found myself saying to other choir members, "Isn't it exciting to be singing today!" 

As we stood to sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy", I thought my heart might burst with love for you.  I wanted to sing my faith; I wanted to release my devotion; I wanted to give witness to all I believe in you.  The piano and organ began and we blended our voices, listening to one another, wanting our voice to be one with all the others, and to finally sing.

By the time we had sung our last song, "Talkin' bout Jesus", we had emptied out everything we had been taught.  We had sung the lyrics, offered the rhythms, and gave them the bulk of our faith; yet, we were not empty.  Our souls were filled with joy!

Great God,
thank you
for the work
of your
living spirit.
Thank you
for taking
a motley crew
of singers
and making us
into witnesses
for eternity.
Thank you
for music
that touches,
inspires, and transforms!

Love, Andrea