Over The Rainbow

It is a rare thing to feel that your soul has departed from you--from all trouble, doubt, flesh, and worry--and to see your world wholly and completely as you wish you could see it every day. The Lord gives you a glimpse of the home He has built for you in heaven: A warm light shines on your face with the most gentle caress. Your heart feels as if it is suspended in the sweetness of a day's dawn. Nothing else is apparent except you and the Lord God Almighty...He is smiling. He is smiling at you in the way that every person wishes to be smiled at. His bright eyes cause you to lift your voice even higher in song--your face bursting in the best way you know possible with the joy that is overflowing from your thankful heart. You hear the songs of the Angels, and then to your surprise, it sounds almost exactly like the voices of those around you. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit returns the consciousness to your soul and you are standing, completely elated--enveloped--basking in the warmth and comfort of the new family the Lord has been so gracious to bless you with. For me, this family was my MoBap Chamber Singers brothers and sisters.

This weekend was our fall break, but for arts kids, it was the Fine Arts Fall Tour. It was beyond words. I think I would have many to agree with me when I say that none of us--the MoBap Fine Arts groups--could have predicted or expected the release and joy that this tour would bring.

For me, the Lord took my tired soul, my weak voice, my broken wings, and He perfected them in Him. He took my imperfections, and before my eyes, freed my soul from its bondage. He turned my crying into laughter, my mourning into dancing, and my sorrow into joy. Everywhere I looked there was a seeing eye--a caring ear. So many times I caught myself laughing out loud and smiling and delighting in my new MoBap family--being completely authentic in the peace that comes through trust. I did not feel the least bit of hostility or judgement from anyone. I did not feel unwanted or uncared for. I did not feel discouraged or forgotten.
This group of people love the Lord. They love Him beautifully. I have never experienced anything like it. Because their hearts are so firmly placed on the Lord, it allows Him to do things through us and our time together that we couldn't imagine. This is what fellowship in the Kingdom truly is: coming together to learn from one another, humbling one another and cheering each other on to spur ourselves towards God's plan and Glory. This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Now, for the music. Not all who read this may understand it, but I will speak my heart and pray that the Lord will move in the words:
Music, for generations and times and ages passed, has been the common ground between the material and the Divine. It is, in my opinion, the highest means of praise to the Lord because it has the ability--rather, the Lord has the ability through it--to embrace the heart and speak the kindest, most gentle wisdoms to the heart if the heart is open to receive it. Sometimes, even, it is the means to open the heart. It has the ability to break down walls and slip through barriers that our humanness can create out of fear. Through music the Lord seeks out our inmost beings and resonates life and light in our spirits. Whether it is a joyous praise, a rapturous thankfulness, or a gentle reprimand, music has the ability to speak God's word in such a way that enables Him to mold our beings.
No wonder Satan tries so ardently to use music as a tool of destruction--he fears the Lord's use of it because he knows it is a tool through which he can be completely undone. Lucifer--the previous chief angel of music in heaven--understood it's miraculous uses. The ANGELS see it as the best way fit to praise the Lord--what does that mean for its effect here on earth? This weekend has reminded me how important it is to be a vessel when I sing. I know that Satan could very well steal my will if I let him while I am singing. I remembered, contrarily, however, that the Lord is more powerful and has an even greater plan for the music that I make. That is why I have loved being a vessel especially this weekend--Through the power of the Lord and the encouragement of my brothers and sisters in Christ, I rid myself of all doubt and fear and temptation that Satan tried to bond me with, and freed my spirit to be a complete and transparent messenger for the Lord and His purposes. When I let go, I felt as though I were not mine, but His. The abundant resplendence of joy I felt standing beside my brothers and sisters praising the Lord was explosive and resonant.

I have been changed.

So what, then, does this say about Love?
Love is capable not only of moving hearts but bringing wisdom and peace. It begins with trust: as we live our lives for the Lord and do our best to hear from Him daily, we learn to trust His will and accept His movement. We are changed because Love has opened our hearts and our minds wide to receive whatever He will give us.
This weekend the gates to my heart were thrown open--joy sweeping in to flood my heart with thoughts and dreams and hopes and thanks to my God for the wondrous life I have been provided through Him.


"2 Praise the Lord, oh my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."

--Psalm 103:2-5




Love is this.