NOTE WORTHY THOUGHTS
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20
Music is a gift from God, a gift of grace, and it is hard for me to imagine the world without it. It has been a part of my life for longer than I can remember and I believe finds a place in the hearts of most people. It stimulates the emotions, brings peace to many, engulfs us in sounds that sooth the soul, and washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. It is often a balm for the sick and a celebration for the blessed. Whether it is crooners from long ago, tunes from Broadway musicals that won't let you sleep, or Praise and Worship songs that leave you spiritually filled, with music it is possible to open the door in the heart of the listener.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend more than one Sandi Patty concert including one held in the nearby Christian Life Center. The CD titled Forever Grateful , the name of her tour, contains a song she performed on this tour and left a lasting impression on me. Listening to it one day recently, I realized we pray to God when in need, we praise God when prayers are answered, but it is "the inbetween" that is often times neglected. We have been living in the inbetween for quite a while now- inbetween what was normal and what our new normal will emerge to look like. I would venture a guess that more prayers have been sent heavenward the past few months than any time in recent history. But in spite of these uncertain times, one thing is certain- God is always someone to whom we can turn. The lyrics to the song In the Inbetween say it all.
I've seen some glorious days, where I flew so much higher, much higher than I ever thought I would.
And soaring through the air I would declare, well isn't God good, isn't He good?
Cause He was and He is and He always will be, but in the inbetween it's hard for me to see.
In the inbetween, where every day life happens, and the fields of green belong to someone else.
In the inbetween, of what will be and what has been, Jesus is a faithful friend......in the inbetween.
Music IS the message that opens the door in the heart of the listener. Listen carefully.
Prayer: God of all Creation, let us not forget those moments of the "inbetween" when fields of green for some do not exist. Fill their "inbetween" with your grace and mercy. Help us to reveal and reflect the love You so freely give, so that the "inbetweens" will show Your faithfulness.
And all God's people said, "Amen.
