People write, produce and distribute music everyday. And everyday that music goes out over airwaves and satellite signals and, by choice or not, instantly thousands or maybe even millions of people are listening and uniting in the deepest parts of themselves (aware or not) via – a song.
A song speaks for your heart. Because even if there are no words, the melody allows you to express your inner design and makeup. Think about it…if you could listen to anything, what would it be RIGHT NOW? And if you told us what that was (in a chat room of sorts) and someone else chimed in and said they were hearing the exact same thing at that exact moment – what would you have? You would have a sudden tie and sense of connection with that other person. Who knows, maybe you were thinking of the euphoric melody of the ice cream truck! Lots of people rally around that song! AND YET the song of the ice cream truck isn’t what you’re after. You want the ice cream.
Songs are an inner psychological/spiritual/emotional/chemical commonality that allow people to unite from and onto the inside. (Not a scientific definition by any means. Thank God!) That makes them, in their simplest form, a “medium”-meaning, they are not the goal or end result even. Songs are the pot, the stirring utensil, the chopping knife, the fire, the preparing of the meal, maybe just the kitchen. They are NOT THE MEAL. They are not even the ingredients.
I believe God’s Word lays out several purposes for The Song – among them are battle, celebration, revelation, declaration, and encouragement. But in the times we are in, I would like to amplify among the others the vital purpose of unifying for God’s kingdom. The song I sing doesn’t have to be mine. As God’s people, let’s rally beneath the banner song of an unwavering love that’s not of anything we want for outside of desire for HIM. What I’m attempting to get at is the song itself is not the goal, but rather what it does. I may not be a citizen of whatever country you live in. But if I stood alongside and sang your national anthem with you, you would sense that I was joining myself with you. I may not even know all of the words. I may not even like the words! But I’m still saying something so much deeper and stronger. I’m saying I’m with you and for you. I’m making your anthem my anthem at that moment.
King David (very prolific songwriter in God’s Word!)-A.K.A. a man after God’s own heart. Have you ever thought about that God-given title? As a musician/singer, I wonder if David ever said, “God, I’m after YOUR heart. What are YOU singing today?” In Psalm 51, a song of his darkest moment perhaps, he cries out, “Create a pure heart for me, O God… Let my tongue sing joyously of Your righteousness. Open my lips that my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not desire a sacrifice, else I would give it…the sacrifices God desires are a broken spirit; a heart broken and humbled, O God, You will not despise.” Broken – like a ship broken to pieces by the wind. This is a state of life or death and yet he asks that his tongue would sing joyously and declare praise? Yes I know he was asking for a new heart. That’s because he knew a sacrifice wasn’t sufficient anyway – only his life and very breath! He was asking for “God’s Heartsong” back. And if God and Who HE is is your song, then HE is your center. Then HE is your heart. And that’s what David was after, so says God.
If you’re guessing right now that there’s a new song from us coming, you’re correct. Well, not right away, but soon. But my desire is not for the song in and of itself necessarily. My hope and prayer is for the potential of how it can unite and build up God’s people to long for and look for HIM. To focus not on what we or the rest of the world is doing, but on the LORD and what He is doing. Look at how David’s focus shifts in verse 20. “Do good in Your favor unto Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.” That the city of God and His house be built up, all the while his own “house” seemed to be falling apart! In other words, “God this is what you desire so this is what I want to sing about.” Thank the LORD David didn’t have some quota or expectations that caused him to create scenarios or perfect settings to write from. His humanity and total dependance on God gave him plenty of opportunity.
Though it’s not a song I wrote, today the song that took me to HIM was King of My Heart by Sarah McMillan. And I was more than grateful for it…joining with those worshipping…He MUST REMAIN the King of our hearts! Bo Yeshua!
Much, much love~
B