"The Song of Life"

"The Song of Life"   

   At one of the retirement communities where we conduct services, Mr. Tiny has joined Mrs. Lillie when she sings her version - in Danish - of "Day By Day".

   I recall sharing with you our enjoyment of Mrs. Lillie's rendition, along with Mr. Harry's blessing us with "How Great Thou Art".  I can't tell you how many times they've sung these hymns in our meetings, and we're blessed every time.  Mr. Tiny's contribution is fairly new.  He doesn't speak Danish, by the way, but he's heard Mrs. Lillie sing enough to have learned the words.  So now, we get to hear a nice duet of "Day By Day".  Moreover, we all join Mr. Harry in the refrains of "How Great Thou Art" after he sings the verses.

   "O come, let us sing unto the Lord!" (Psalm 95:1).

   Solos are fine in song, and surely we enjoy the occasion of hearing a gifted musician graced with the ability to skillfully sing or play.  However, when the musical "I" becomes "us", the gift blossoms all the more in beautiful harmonies, rhythms, and shared melodies.  The same in true in life, of course.  First, God made us to live our lives with Him.  In the light of such love, we then live with people.  We are relational beings first and foremost, even as the greatest Scriptural commands involve love for our Lord and love for human beings (Mark 12:30-31).  Thus, our individual gifts exist primarily for God's glory, will, and pleasure, and then for the blessing of others to whom we seek to reflect the light of Christ in relationship and fellowship.  The song of life must be viewed in terms of symphony rather than soloist as we realize the truth of our nature in the light of God's nature.  A relational Being created and sustains us, and One who Himself exists in the glory of triune togetherness as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The harmony of that glorious Bond inspires and informs us to live our lives accordingly, as members of a chorus whose shared contributions to the music of life make our existence what God intends and enables it to be.  "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1).

   I look forward to hearing the Mrs. Lillie/Mr. Tiny duet in Danish on many more occasions.  I also anticipate praising the greatness of our Lord with Mr. Harry in the refrain of his signature version of "How Great Thou Art".  Most importantly, the truth of loving relationship will present itself every time we join our hearts and voices together in song.  Life is not an "I", but a "we", first with God, and then with people.  We are a symphony led by a Conductor who Himself exists as a "We" (John 17:20-26).  This is love, the love of the Lord Jesus.  And this is the reality that sounds and resounds of God's glory as we sing the song of life, His life, together.

"Sing unto the Lord, o ye saints of His."

(Psalm 30:4)

"We are members one of another."

(Ephesians 4:25)

Weekly Memory Verse

    I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.

(Ecclesiastes 3:14)