“So Brad, when did you know that you were called into the ministry?”
That was the question that I was faced with Sunday morning. The morning’s topic in the college ministry Sunday school class was the Will of God.. that force that drives and guides our lives. As I sat there, I glanced at the paper before me in boredom. I knew all of this already… I know that God is perfect, God is my creator, God is my shepherd, and whatever His Will is for me will be perfect and true… and will come to fruition as time goes on. I knew that… I trusted that.
Then why was I silent when that question was asked of me? Why couldn’t I just blurt out, “Oh, well, I knew I was called to the ministry on such and such date, God really set on my heart a longing for so and so and this place and that place… I mean, I’m at this college because I want to be surrounded by those in the ministry, right?
Then why weren’t the words coming out of my mouth?
I have always loved music. It is that one unifying element of life that connects all things. It is a unbelievably strong force, having the ability to mold and change our mood and feelings depending on how we perceive it. Now, some may claim to like rock music, others country, and still some others Gregorian chants - yet it is undeniable that all people, all creation loves music. We sing, birds call, the wind rustles, all things move and sway together in one beautiful, harmonious chorus to create the sound of life. Music is written into the hearts of all creation. To take a word from Rob Bell, the Christian faith can even be compared to song, to a melody that moves, changes, is alive. Something that all people can take a part in, that all things can add onto, until everything in life is caught up in the beauty of the song. It is a beauty that transcends all understanding….
Kind of like another Guy I know…
As I have grown up, I have been in love with this song. At times I had no idea I was taking part, but I was always listening. It wasn’t until three years ago that I found the true meaning of the song, the true beauty of life that it brings to all things. This gift of song is a force that no government, no law, no evil can put a stop to. Who can silence a song that is being sung in the heart of a person?
The song has become a bit of a commercialized item in this world, but it’s still there. No matter how many spins, crescendos, accidentals or accents we add to it, it is always growing, always moving in people’s hearts and minds. But it isn’t until one comes to Christ that they become completely in tune with that song. Not until one comes to the maker, the One who is constantly composing the song, can the song be fully understood…. and perhaps it cannot be fully understood at all. But sometimes it is merely enjoying and singing along with a song that completes us, that gives us life that makes the song beautiful.
I want to bring people that song. I want to use my gifts that God has allowed me to borrow from Him to bring others to sing the same song I am singing. I want to go to the ends of the earth, and teach every person of every tribe and every nation how they can sing the song of life. Christ’s song. You do not have to be a philosopher or a theological expert to sing praises to God. You merely have to breathe, and let it come out.
And thats when I realized it.
That’s when I was called to the ministry. The moment I opened my mouth to sing the song of life.
Thanks for listening. God Bless.
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