But be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord … (Ephesians 5:19, 20)
I had to choose. Pakistani Christians jumped and waved to the rhythm of a pump organ and tiny brass cymbals. I could watch the persecuted believers as an outsider, or join as a fellow heir of Christ. I overcame my inhibitions, slipped into the revelry, and whirled before the Lord with my brothers and sisters.
High on the Amazon headwaters, Christian leaders guided their canoes to a sleepy village for a pastors’ conference. The joy of coming together erupted in Spanish worship of Jesús, as bright guitar notes blended with the airy tones of a zampoña flute.
While serving in the Sichuan province, God gave unmusical me the lyrics to a song. I collaborated with a Chinese musician to create a hymn that spread through the underground churches. The Mandarin words for, “God, your love is all around me. God, you are all I’ll ever need,” rose on long high notes, then resolved on a heart confirming crescendo.
There’s a mysterious connection between music and the Spirit of God. Both engage parts of our being we can’t understand, and both unify our hearts in joy. Combine music with the Spirit and we abandon ourselves in worship with heart, mind, soul, and strength.
When I self-consciously analyze other singers, I get out of sync. I have to close out the world, let my body find the beat, then move in unity to the music around me.
The same is true with the Holy Spirit. Only when I ignore human agendas, including my own, and follow his rhythm, do I find the harmonious life God intended.
I can sit on the sidelines and count out the steps of religion, or I can jump in and move with the Spirit of grace. Watch or join—I have to choose.
Prayer: Holy Paraclete (Advocate/Helper), let me dance with you today.