This is my first blog and I wanted to write something else and yet this subject presses me in light of the current economic crisis this country is facing. It comes down to a personal level in a hurry for us. In our business we have many clients that have pulled way back on their advertising and thus we’ve taken a hit from this current downturn. Last night I sat in on a devotional and what the speaker shared last was very sobering. His text was Matt 6:33. He put it all in perspective about how we approach life and our provisions. Sure we have to have money to pay the bills, that's a given and we know there are those who take this to the extreme. I know a man who tried to take the vow of poverty to be a true Christian. Unfortunately, he found that the generosity of others was short lived when they discovered he was able bodied and did not work. It all has to be in context and alignment with Word as a whole.
Anyhow, he said if we did what Matthew 6 says we would experience God's purpose and plan for our lives ultimately finding perfect peace. Sounds crazy but I told a friend of mine yesterday, "I'm usually bouncing off the walls when it gets like this". I don't know what I could have done differently to change what is happening right now. Every day I wake up and say to the Lord, I surrender. I mean it. Then I fail. And then I have to surrender all over again the next day.
If I'm learning anything, I don't just exist to work for the money or the false stability that money gives people. We have to have a higher purpose than just saving up greenbacks. I want to tap that rock in a desert with the rod God has put in my hand. I want to see the provision of God pour out of the impossible and know that HE was the provider. What else is there if we truly believe there is a God and HE is our heavenly Father? A father provides shelter, clothing and food for his children.
The speaker went on to make some remarks about this life being about relationships. First with God and then waking up each day to honor that relationship and make him proud and bring him glory by carrying out his work among those with whom we live and work. Possibly even a stranger. That is central to the teachings of Jesus about our purpose here on earth.
So the class was over and a lady asked about the meaning of the verse, "take my yoke upon you". The speaker stepped back up and said that Jesus was using this example of the yoke used in farming. The yoke would be set on the Oxen and fastened so that he could pull the plow through the field to prepare it for planting. The Lord invites us to slip into the yoke beside him and let him do the work. His yoke is easy. He will carry the load for us and He wants us to let Him carry the load.
There have been many times I've tried to figure things out and while I was actively doing something the provision came from another direction. I don't know if that is weak faith or just plum deaf and dumb spiritually but God's provision always comes and is sufficient. Can I question why this time is so difficult? I suppose I can but I can't experience the fullness of His purpose if I can't trust Him with my everyday needs.
As I listened last night I began to hear songs of faith. The first one I heard was the Lord's Prayer. In fact, that is how I hear the Word of God speak to me. It comes to me in music. After all these years as a musician and worship leader, and as some now call me, a psalmist, I find the message is carried on the backs of musical notes. I was sitting there singing it in my head and my heart while he was still sharing. Afterwards, I walked back thru the fellowship hall into the gym and began singing it out loud. I wasn't too impressed with the voice but the words were powerful.
Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
The other song that came to my mind was one I heard and sang as a kid in church. I couldn't remember the title or all the words but I did remember the words, "Come unto me, I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you,". I had to come home and look it up on the computer and then remembered the title was "Come Unto Me". Again the message that flows thru the power of music sends a message of hope birthed from the very words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.
For those who are struggling with life’s provision today, I can only encourage you to take a close look at where your focus is. The message of hope can flow through musical notes. The music is the vehicle that carries hope deep into our spirit.
So for the first blog on Paul’s Crazy Notes, I hope you can find time to comment and share stories of how God has placed a song in your heart to help you get thru tough times. It may be an encouragement to someone else indeed.
