So, if you're at all curious as to why I haven't updated my blog recently, it is mostly due to the fact that...drum roll please...life is busy once again! Harold and I have been blessed by God with the ability to buy our first home. As a result, we have been pouring a lot of our time and energy into various home-owner projects. In addition to our transition into home-ownership, I am currently undergoing a transition into life as a first grade teacher. My summer break officially came to an end as of this past Monday at exactly 7:25am.
I'm still cannot tell you, with confidence, what first graders are suppose to learn. But I do know this:
Hannah + beginning of the school year + a gazillion things to do = Optimal condition for stress and anxiety
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I had such high levels of stress and anxiety in regards to my work last year. But, this year (By the grace of God alone!) I am proactively resisting the temptation to be stressed and anxious. I've been so thankful that God's peace has truly been guarding my heart and my mind as I have been choosing to submit, rather than carry, my burdens to Him.
However, the essential question of this post is not so much about dealing with stress. Rather, it is about how musical worship has the capacity to direct our hearts to the God who is far bigger than the circumstances leading to our stress.
As I was driving home last night, I was listening to two songs on repeat, both of which were by my favorite Christian worship group Sovereign Grace Music. I cannot begin to recall for your the many times these two specific songs have ministered to my soul and directed my weary, doubtful, and distant heart back to God.
The powerful combination of lyrics, voices and instruments that is otherwise known as music has had a profound role in my life as a follower of Christ. Musical worship has stirred me to turn from various sins, to be in awe of God's holiness, to extend the forgiveness of Christ towards my offenders, to be amazed by God's creation, to cry out in desperation for God's nearness, to remember the account of my own salvation, and so much more.
From what I can see in Psalm 71:23, musical worship can cause believers in Christ to respond with joy as well:
"My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed."
In like fashion, musical worship can serve as a time to praise God's mighty, loving, good and altogether wondrous works--whether past, present or future! Psalm 105:2 shows us this particular role of musical worship:
"Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!"
As followers of Christ, we can probably all testify to the powerful role of musical worship in our lives. While I know that musical worship influences us all in different ways--I hope to somehow capture and communicate to you the sweetness of what I experienced last night as I worshiped through music. I will share the stanzas that literally sent chills to my soul as a result of the rich, comforting truths contained within them.
"As Long As You Are Glorified"
This song is all about trusting in and depending upon God during both the peaks AND the valleys of our lives. It is about fully embracing the truth that God is our provider and care-giver in times of both plenty AND need.
The specific stanza that struck my heart was this:
"Are you good only when I prosper?
And true only when I'm filled?
Are you king only when I'm carefree?
And God only when I'm well?
You are good when I'm poor and needy
You are true when I'm parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You're still God in the darkest night."
Right now, it's easy to be carefree and offer up praises to my King. It's easy because, well...I don't actually yet have a class of eighteen 7 to 8-year-old students and administrators popping into to observe my management of those eighteen students. It's only pre-planning week! So I've been kid-free and observation-free (and therefore, carefree!). But when the kids arrive and the observations start and the pressures of planning and grading rise to unprecedented levels--will God still be my faithful King in whom I trust and praise? It is a comfort to know that no matter what we experience and no matter the depths of our despair, God is still good, and true, and He still reigns! God remains faithful to who He is! And if we choose to truly acknowledge who He is, especially in the midst of trials, we are sure to be at peace.
"I Have a Shelter"
This song speaks of God as our shelter--our shelter from fears, sorrows, weaknesses and sins.
The specific stanza(s) that struck me from this song was:
"No trial is deeper than Your love
that comforts all my sorrow."
No trial is deeper than the deepest, most comforting love that has been and ever will be, found in Jesus Christ alone.
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