Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

I was never one for listening to the top 40 radio stations growing up, primarily because they would keep repeating the same few songs over and over and over again. There are still some songs today I can not stand to listen to because of the constant air play they received when they were first released.

Here are a few of my not so favorite songs: ‘You Light up my Life’ (after a while I just wanted to turn that light off). ‘Don’tWorry Be Happy’ (this song was driving me absolutely bonkers with that incessant whistling). ‘Music Box Dancer’ (if I had a music box that played that song I would have smashed it to smithereens before long) and then the infamous ‘My Heart Will Go On’. Celine I love you baby but enough of the going on and on. I think that song played on the radio, in stores, on the bus, and in the elevator for about a year. There have been others which I have just grown tired of hearing. The first few times I may have loved the song but then it just became an annoyance to have to listen to it again and again.

On the flip side there are those timeless classics that any music collection would be incomplete without. One that comes to mind is ‘The Unchained Melody,’ righteously done by the Righteous brothers. Elvis’s ‘Suspicious Minds,’ and ‘Heartbreak Hotel’. Add to that the Eagles with ‘Hotel California.’ The Beatles contribute many but a couple could be ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Let it Be’ and John Lennon’s immortal ‘Imagine’. One can not forget the Beach Boys with their surfing sound, ‘Good Vibrations’, and ‘God Only Knows.’ A day at the beach would not be complete without hearing at least once ‘Under the Boardwalk’ by the Drifters and ‘Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay’ by Ottis Redding. The list could go on and on like Celine’s song did but I think you get the picture.

Music through the ages

Down through the years music has changed and lasting hits seem to be fewer and fewer. With all the influx of indie bands and record labels, it seems like no sooner does a band have a hit song that they fade from memory. Artists like the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Elvis have stood the test of time.

In the church house I believe we have our play lists as well. Songs we sing over and over again. Some of my all time favorites for a Sunday morning are: ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Blessed Assurance’, ‘It Is Well with My Soul’, ‘He Leadeth Me’, ‘Here is Love’, ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’, ‘Do Not Pass Me By’ and ‘Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee’, just to name a few.

In recent years with the introduction of praise choruses into the church I believe that some of these old standards are being relegated to the no play list. Instead we repetitiously sing choruses to the latest top 50 worship songs of the day. Some of those would be, in no particular order, ‘Come, Now is the Time to Worship’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Lord I lift your Name on High’, ‘Shout to the Lord’, ‘Forever’, ‘Open the Eyes of my Heart’, ‘How Great is our God’, ‘God of Wonders’, ‘Above All’, ‘Give Thanks’, ‘Trading my Sorrows’, ‘I Could Sing of your Love Forever’, ‘Shine Jesus Shine’, and this list can go on and on again like Celine’s song.

Psalm 98:1 states: Sing a new song to the Lord because he has done miraculous things. Some could interpret this passage to say that we need new hymn books in the church, or introduce a praise band with over-heads and projected words on the big screen. Some would argue that this verse implies that we need to always be writing new songs and toss out the hymn book altogether.

Just like the music industry is introducing new music onto the air waves, there are some in the church who seem to think the same way. If you are singing from the same play list over and over again then you are not up to date. You are not with it.

I am of the persuasion to believe that what the Lord is saying is for each of us to find a song to praise God with. It could be as simple as ‘Jesus Loves Me’ but if it moves you and holds meaning for you then I say sing it loud and sing it long.

How many couples out there have a song? You know the one? Every time you hear it you are reminded of that special romantic evening or the first time you met. It is that song that holds deep emotional meaning for you. These are the type of songs we are supposed to sing unto the Lord.

There are memorable events in our walk with God that can and should be recorded and placed in our top 10 play lists. Those events that lifted our spirits to a point where we would cry Hallelujah!

Singing praise to God does not mean we must begreat singers and write great songs it simply means we are to sing HALLELUJAH when God touches us or has an intimate moment with us. If it has been a long time since you and your spouse have had that special moment then you can understand what God is saying here in this passage.

It may be time to change our play lists and add a few new songs to it. It may be time to change our song from one of complaining and murmuring to praise and rejoicing. It may be time to find a new song that will express once again our deep affection for the one who saved us! It may be time to refresh our walk with God and update our play lists to reflect that new found love for God.

Does ‘How Great Thou Art’ still move you ? Are you deeply effected by God’s ‘Amazing Grace’? ‘Is it Well with your Soul’? Can you sing with the writer of ‘He Leadeth Me’? Are you crying with Fanny Crosby that you do not want to be left behind as you sing ‘Do Not Pass Me By?

Are you still in love with the Lord or just singing songs without meaning? What is ‘your song’? What is playing on your play list?

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. _{Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)}