For me, "Glee" sort of typifies my life. No, I don't go around singing my feelings (OK, maybe I have been known to occasionally...) but I do believe that we were created to sing, make a joyful noise, or whatever we want to call it.
We, the body of Christ, have entered into a new season. I know for sure that I have. While the past years have been full of heartache, trauma, family wounds, and most recently a sort of desert experience, I believe we are now entering into a time of receiving; receiving God's goodness at every turn. I remember a specific time where God told me to hold out my hands, palms up, and receive. He said that this would be my new posture. He told me He was going to knock my socks off. He has lived up to His word. We have received so much since then, from grandson to new home, and the blessings continue. My song must continue also.
The thing is, I went through the valley of death and I learned to sing there. My song at first was tearful, and sometimes without words. But God received each note. And through those years He turned it into praise.....in the midst of every trial and heartache, I learned to sing His praises. I learned to be thankful, to find something to thank Him for. It was never too difficult, once I learned to look. And this sacrifice of praise was received and came pouring back out upon me as refreshing water to a thirsty and hurting soul.
What did Jesus say to the woman at the well? "Give me a drink." I am sure that she was way more thirsty than the Son of God. Why didn't He immediately, recognizing her need, minister to her and give her what her soul was thirsting for? Why did He instead ask her to give Him a drink? What do we have to give to God, besides a song of praise? When we give Him a drink, He meets us there.
What I love about Glee is the example it gives us. They are always singing.....through good and bad, their songs come forth. The very definition of the word "glee" speaks to my life with the Lord:
1. Jubilant delight; joy.
2. Music A part song scored for three or more.....(how about the Trinity and I in unison? That is glee for sure!!)
So now in this season we must learn to receive......His blessings....His goodness......His abundance....which can sometimes be more difficult than praising Him through the trials because we all struggle with receiving. (How many of you are much more comfortable giving a present than receiving one? There you go.) Yet Papa is gently teaching us that while it is more blessed to give than to receive, receiving is also a blessing. How could I say no to Him?
As we enter into this new season, this season of abundance, let us not forget to sing! I can hear some of you thinking "I can't believe she is even saying this! Sooner or later the other shoe is going to drop and then what?" (First I would remind you that we do not live under Murphy's law, but we live under the law of the Kingdom!) Should trials come, I will SING LOUDER!!! We often cry out "We're thirsty, Lord!" Yet God supplied all that we need. He said that He came to satisfy us with abundant life. It is OK to be always desiring more, yet completely satisfied. Whether I am blessed or broken, I will sing with abandon! And my soul will be satisfied!
Very poignant and hits home for me. I hope I gave Him a good sacrifice of praise as I traveled through my own dark valley. And I pray I've come to the end of that valley and into a new season of bright abundance. Either way, I'm going to remember to sing.
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