Singing to the Creation

Have you ever thought about how large a roll singing plays in the world? We sing when we mourn, and we sing when we worship but most of all we sing when we are happy. God intended it to be that way and shows us by example how to rejoice and share our happiness.

Can you imagine the first morning Adam awoke in the Garden of Eden and heard the birds singing? Can you imagine God walking through the garden and humming to himself as he enjoys his creation? I must admit that it is somewhat of a stretch of even my active imagination, but do you think HE just might have?

God tells us through Isaiah 49:13: "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord has comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted."

Our son Kirk shared this little incident that happened with our granddaughter Allison last week: "So I have picked up my 7 year old daughter Allison and we are driving home. She is singing happily to herself when she suddenly decides to talk about her future employment and career options. She says to me, "I do like singing. But I also really like science! I guess I could sing to the creatures I create." Apparently I am the proud father of a budding mad scientist! "

If the mind of a child can imagine that, why not the mind of God? There is a scripture we primarily read at Christmas time, but I want you to think of it in a different way. What's the scripture? Luke 2:1-14: "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

I believe God was happy and rejoicing as the heavenly host sang to His creation sharing his Joy. That's why the angels sang. 

So how often do you sing, maybe not to "your creation," but sing because you rejoice or are just happy? James counsels us: "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise." (James 5:13) Maybe a better question might be, are you happy in your life or with your relationship to your creator? If you are, then sing, it's what God intended.

Sometimes you get a pit

Have you ever been enjoying a nice piece of cherry pie and suddenly come across a cherry pit (seed)? I have, on several occasions in my life. Pits are unexpected and sometimes painful; at the very least they are a nuisance.

Life sometimes is that way also isn't it? That’s why we have the saying in America, "Isn’t that just the pits?" You know what I am talking about I’m sure. You are expecting a good day and along comes a pit. Your life is fairly untroubled and an illness or accident pops up. You are doing well at work and then you get the word your job is ending. Your church life is going pretty well, and the preacher announces that he is retiring. "Isn't that just the pits?"

I wish that we could find a way to make our lives always fun, always joyful, always feeling good, but that just isn't the way life is, is it? Often it seems we have the wrong idea that our relationship with Christ is suppose to make bad things stop. That idea is strengthened by what we do, say and sing to one another. I have always enjoyed singing the song Blue Skies and Rainbows.

In case you don't know the words here they are: (1) "Blue skies and rainbows and sunbeams from heaven. Are what I can see when My Lord is living in me. (2) Green grass and flowers, all blooming in springtime, is works of the Master I live for each day. (3) Tall mountains, green valleys, the beauty that surrounds me. All make me aware of the One Who made it all. Chorus: Jesus is well and alive today; He makes His home in my heart. Never more will I be all alone since He promised me that we never would part."

That song proclaims how wonderful our life will be if we only have Jesus in it and it is 100% right if you are just talking about spiritual things. However the physical side of life keeps intervening with that perfect life doesn't it? How is it that the apostle Paul could write, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" referring to all of his physical challenges? (Philippians 4:11) In verse 13 he writes, "I can do all this through him (Christ) who gives me strength."

Paul accepted the fact that bad things sometimes happen in our lives, but he wasn't living his life according to what happened to him physically. His hope and his ability to cope, was based upon what was going to happen after he left this physical world.

Yes, sometimes you get "a pit" in life when you were expecting to enjoy the cherry. Some folks give up or even get mad at God because bad things happen. They seem to say, "When I became a Christian I was only suppose to receive good things!" They will, but of course God has promised good things in the spirit and that is what they really struggle with.

So, can we still sing "Blue skies and rainbows are what I see when my lord is living in me"? Yes, of course we can if we understand what the promise is really about. Our promise is of a time to come when there will be no more tears, no more death, no more suffering (Revelation 21:4). That's what Christians really live for, so if you are not, why not start now? Your "pit" is coming, how are you going to deal with it?