Sing a New Song

Ephesians 5:19-20

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Have you ever noticed that it is almost impossible to sing when you’re in a bad mood? I’m not talking about singing along with a lot of what the world calls “music” these days, nor am I speaking about “singing the blues.” For the most part, when you sing with normal, everyday songs, especially church songs, you begin to feel better.

There is great truth in that fact, and great truth and joy in the verses above. Paul gives us not only sound spiritual advice, but the Lord speaks directly through these words in order to help us keep our lives in good working order.

All one has to do, especially during this particular time of this year, is turn on the television, and find that political ads reign supreme. As of this writing, the “mid-term” elections are about two weeks away, and at this very moment, a political ad is playing on my own television. With each passing day, the ads grow more and more negative. No longer is a campaign about issues or what is best for a district or the nation. It’s about whose character isn’t as ruined as the other candidate’s character.

Years ago, I wrote something down in the back of my Bible: When it comes to mudslinging, not only does the victim get dirty, but so does the one doing the throwing. No one wins in this type of campaign; the candidates of both sides, and the voters themselves, suffer the results. In a recent message, I said that in churches, some people will say, “We need to elect so-and-so to some office, because they’re mad that they’re not already on the committee, and if we don’t elect them, they’ll leave.” And my response to that was, “If that’s their attitude, do you really want that kind of person leading your church?”

Attitude is everything, and the verses above address that very issue. There is a two-fold meaning in the verses, the first being a personal attitude/relationship with the Lord, and the second being the attitude/relationship of others to the Lord.

As I mentioned at the onset of this entry, it’s nearly impossible to stay in a bad mood when you begin singing. By reflecting on the music of the Lord, and by the melody within your own heart, you begin to feel a lift, and in seeing past the moment or pain or despair you find you can truly give thanks to the Lord for all He does. You see, it’s difficult to be a help to others if you yourself are in need of help. And the Christian life is more than just about you; it’s about others.

The Lord therefore, through the pen of Paul, encourages us to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and using the melody of our life to help encourage others. Again, think of those political ads. Does anyone feel better after seeing one of those ads? Does anyone feel more patriotic or enthused about voting or about the democratic process? How many minds are really changed by seeing such negativity? The same rings true for the Christian walk.

There is no shortage of negative thoughts and feelings in the world today, and there is one remedy: the good things of God. The Christian is the representative of the Lord to the world, and as His representative, we have a responsibility to show Him, to truly be “Christ-like.”

Negative and positive cannot exist in the same place, as one cancels the other. Therefore, when we have negative feelings or thoughts about another person (as we sometimes do as human beings, whether they are co-workers, family members, or fellow church-goers), we should give thanks to the Lord for what He has done for us. We should see those people as an opportunity for God to bless them and us by teaching us what it means to be a child of the King.

And the real beauty? You don’t have to be able to carry a tune in a five-gallon bucket in order to fulfill this directive from the Lord. Music, the tunes and notes we hear, are certainly beautiful, but it’s the words that give the meaning. For instance, if someone begins to hum the tune to Amazing Grace, you recognize the melody, but you mind is taken back to the words. Without those familiar and truth-filled words, the music becomes just another song in a world overflowing with songs.

When you approach others with the right spirit and attitude, you not only help and encourage them, you are also living where the Lord wants you to be, and your own relationship to Him is strengthened. By making this spiritual music to one another, we are, in fact, making a beautiful melody to the Lord. As you focus on our Savior, praising Him and serving Him by your attitude toward others, the words of another song become our reality:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

So don’t be afraid to sing your song to the Lord. Let your words be at all times seasoned with the grace of God. Be that source of inspiration, hope and love that those around you so desperately need. And in the process, you yourself will find the face of God smiling down on you. Then you’ll truly have something to sing about.

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