Music in our Hearts

I woke up in a grump this morning. It is the third morning in a row where I have awoken in the early hours and sleep is evasive. For whatever reason, worrying thoughts pervade my mind and keep me from relaxing. At times like these, it is easy to focus on all that is wrong or troublesome. Happy thoughts seem far away.

God’s word in Ephesians gives us a new approach in times like these:

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19-20 NIV)

Some days the music just isn’t there. Layoffs occur, health issues happen, people disappoint, and so on. On those days, it is difficult to have praise for much of anything. Yet it is on those days when we need to take the above Scripture to heart even more.

It’s amazing how my attitude changes when I praise God. It is difficult to be upset when I thank God for all His blessings. My mood improves as I begin to list all the things for which I am thankful. The scale tips in my favour as God shows me that the good outweighs the bad. My heart is gradually filled with joy as I list all these positives.

God is powerful. God cares for our every need. He knows what is best for us, even though often we don’t understand His logic. It is important that we praise Him, no matter what, and trust that He has our best interests in mind.

When life is posing many challenges, when we want to stew over things and unhealthy emotions take hold, when we have a bad attitude over life events – the music doesn’t seem like it is there.

Yet the Ephesians verse says – ALWAYS giving thanks. That fact is especially important when life hits its rough spots. We can always be thankful for what God has done for us through the saving work of His Son Jesus Christ. We have the gift of salvation thanks to Jesus’ dying on the cross for our sins and rising again. We can be in the most terrible of circumstances, but knowing that we will spend eternity with God in heaven – for that we can be thankful.

I love music, thus the symbolism in these verses touch me. Making music in my heart is a picture I understand and can practice. When I sing my spirit is lifted and my mood improves. Even better is singing in a choir with the wonderful sound that ensues with all the voices joined together in song. I love to dance and music makes me want to get my feet moving. I love to play music and make beautiful sounds from the notes written on the pages.

Making music of praise and adoration benefits me even more. I dance with joy over what God is doing in my life. I sing as I praise Him for life and salvation.

I pray that God will help each of us recognize all the blessings that are in our lives now, even amidst the troubles. May you have a thankful heart today, recognizing our wonderful God and how He sustains and cares for us. The evidence of that is everywhere if we take the time to look.

May our song be one of praise and adoration for the One who holds us in His almighty hand.

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