Meditation: November 18, 2007

" Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. " Psalm 98:4    

Reflection:

"Where is the music coming from?"

We were seated around tables in the dining hall at Christikon—a Lutheran Bible camp in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness of Montana. My parents, husband, son, and sixty or so other families and staff members had gathered for evening worship.

The camp director passed out hymnals, and we began the opening song. Unaccompanied voices sang out full and strong. Rich, four-part harmonies filled the night air and resonated through our souls.

My three-year-old son, resting in my arms, was taking it all in. Looking up at me with wonderment in his eyes, he asked, "Where is the music coming from?" The piano bench was empty. The guitar cases in the corner were all closed. What was making the music?

"We're singing," I told him. "It's our voices making the music." He looked around the room some more, still trying to understand.

Gathered in worship, we were the body of Christ, joyfully praising God. And out in the wilderness, amidst the four-part singing, I could not only hear, but almost see—and certainly feel—our praises rising to the heavens.

Prayer: Thank you, Gracious God, for the gift of making, enjoying, and appreciating music. Amen 

Question of
the Week: How can I add my voice to the body of Christ in the world?        

Meditation written by Kristin Bensen of the St. John's Writing Team.