Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Breaking the Silence

I turned on the light and sat down at the beautiful baby grand piano. Getting my bearings, I took a deep breath. The prayers had been prayed. The time had come. I glanced out at the two hundred or so people who love my Uncle Carl and simply shared why the family had asked me to sing this particular song. Painfully aware that I was not the most talented person in the room, my voice not as clear and strong with my piano playing skills even more lacking there I sat. God said to sing, so I sang. 

Many many times I have declared God's truth from a place of struggle. My tears flowing down my cheeks unhindered! I learned a long time ago that tears were a part of me and to accept them. I've proclaimed that God is faithful and filled with lovingkindness in spite of my nagging questions and fears.

Other times I have ministered from a place of peace. I've been blessed with a good life. Most days it's easy to declare God's goodness and love with passion and boldness. And joy overflowing. 

And sometimes I've shared my faith from a place of victory....after the battle of the moment has been won by the strength of Jesus, my heart filled with gratitude.

That day was different. That day I took myself out of the picture. The song was not sung through my life experiences, either good or bad. I simply declared the truth. Knowing me, and how my emotions would rise up if I looked at my precious family, or any of the grieving faces OR thought about my own situation and how close I may be to hearing Jesus call me home, I focused on THE TRUTH. Not my own sadness and fear or my family's pain. And God was there. Unlike any time before, I felt a strength and power completely not my own. I heard a strong voice, clear and warm declaring "I will rise on eagle's wings, before my God fall on my knees..."

Scripture commands ALL OF US to
MAKE KNOWN His deeds among the peoples. SING to Him, sing praises to Him; SPEAK of all His wonders. PROCLAIM good tidings of His salvation from day to day. TELL of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. ASCRIBE to the Lord the glory due His name.
I Chronicles 16:9, 23, 24, 29

So, today. How will you speak of His wonders? How will you proclaim good tidings? Yes,yes, our lives should speak of God's greatness - without words. BUT, we are also to use our mouth to MAKE KNOWN, SING, SPEAK, TELL. 

Whether we are in a place of struggle or victory or peace or completely without concern for our current situaions, GOD IS GOOD and deserves our praise.
The people in our lives need to hear this. We need to speak it. 

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