When The Music Stops

Summertime always finds us 'taking a break' from the normal routines of life. Our Worship Choir is on vacation until September and many of us are already feeling the sad relief of the change in schedule. "What shall we do on Tuesday night?" is the question many ask now! In fact, one singer recently told me her story; feeling the loss of meeting together with her Choir family every week, she quickly resumed listening to her Choir music CD and her spirit lifted again.

What do we do when the music stops?

We must remember that worship is our life line to God and worship was never designed to find it's expression through music alone. We live in a culture that would reduce worship to the group singing that takes place before the preacher speaks. But to do so only narrows the opporunity for joy and intimacy found in worship.

God first seeks devotion to Him in the hidden place of personal worship - when no once else is watching. King David was the author of the majority of lyrics found in the book of Psalms. He was probably only 15 years old when Samuel described David to Saul as "a man after God's own heart" (I Samuel 13:14) And before long, David became the most well-known worshipper in the whole of the land. One day he was alone in the fields tending his sheep singing his songs to God, and then as King, David worshipped in a much more public setting. Yet today as you read the Psalms of David, it's easy to see that every song he sang and every prayer he prayed was truly for an audience of One.

The Bible clearly shows us that God want His people to have a close relationship with Him. Jesus even taught his disciples to pray to an intimate Father, just as He did. He told them that they were no longer servants but friends.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice

and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Revelation 3:20

This passage is directed to people who are believers and already following Jesus. He's inviting His people to a greater intimacy. He describes an intimate gathering for the evening meal, where people would sit down together at end of a day's work and spend quality time with one another. The reason for the meal was for fellowship, not just food. Jesus is saying in effect, "Let Me deeper into your life. I want to come and eat with you, to be close to you. I am not calling you to just be a waiter at he table, serving Me as I eat. I'm calling you to sit donw with Me and for us to eat together.

What do you do when the music stops?

Listen for His voice - and draw closer!