...The music should carry the message.
... The music and the message should work together to convey the soul of the performer to touch the soul of the listener.
One of the most frustrating things about being a teacher is hoping the lesson matches the heart.
... The illustration of truth should reveal the truth.
... The lesson and the truth should work together to convey the soul of the teacher to touch the soul of the student.
One of the most frustrating things about being a lover of Christ is hoping our conversation (way of life) matches His heart.
... Our life should carry His message of life.
... Our walk and our talk should work together to convey the soul of the Spirit to touch the soul of those we come in contact with.
What causes the message to be lost in the mix: is the perception of "the moment" and what to do with the reality we are facing.
Get a picture of this snip-it from a Biblical story (below) ...70 years the Children of Israel have been in ungodly Babylon ...free at last and in their own land, they stand before a "new" temple structure ... it is being raised from the rubble of the once glorious Solomon's Temple ... there are two groups of people at this dedication service: The Ancient who had seen the FIRST temple and "the People" , those who had never seen the temple because they were born in Babylon. The Ancient are a mixture of those type of people who hang on to the past and those who rejoice in the day ...the People are mixed with those who cling to the NEW and those who rejoice in the day. .........hear the words that recorded the moment: Ezra 3:12 - 13
"But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off."
Doesn't this sound a little like the gatherings that we call "Church"? Woe is me songs, Woe is me throngs droning Woe is me statements like "it wasn't like this in the olden days".
People weep because of change, not realizing that He who never changes (because He is always relevant), makes all things new! NEW ...what does that mean to you?
HOLD ON - SOMETHING IS BEING LOST IN THE MIX!
Maybe Jesus has been lost in the mix ... though we've been unfaithful, we've never been disowned ...yet we act either like spoiled brats who scream when we don't get our own way, or orphans begging for moldy bread in the darkened alleys of a faceless city. Get out of your useless pity party and quit coddling your favorite sin ....rise up and take full advantage of this life abundant He has given...this life of Joy unspeakable with Him.
Do you feel that it was easier before you came to Christ?(this thought may be revealing) Something is wrong ...and you are not wanting to face it ... Jesus has been lost in the mix of you choices in life. Slow down, simplify, focus on the star, the babe wrapped in swaddling cloth, the celebrated life, the cross, the tomb, the sky, the field....
Focus on Jesus ...He's standing right in the middle of the confusion ...calling your name ...
Matthew 11:28-29 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
May our lives make a joyful noise that draws others to Jesus.
HLFA,
Jeff
May our lives make a joyful noise that draws others to Jesus.
HLFA,
Jeff