The Melody of My
Heart
“Ba-dum-bum-bum…ba-dum-bum-bum…”
The
less obnoxious “silk” setting of my alarm gradually shifts my thoughts into
partial reality as my wandering hand finds the snooze just “one more time.” My
squinted eyes make out the time, confirming the snooze has already been hit
more times than I recall this morning. I turn over, my mind reluctantly buzzing
through a list of things I should have already done during my snoozing slumber.
My mind is telling my body to get up, but my heart is overpowering the firing
of those neurons. Resentment sets in like cement on the mattress.
“Everyone
else is still resting, peacefully, sleeping away the morning. I deserve that,
too, right?” My mind follows the beat of my heart, set at a selfish, sin-filled
tone, steadily gaining strength.
“Ugh. I
NEED more rest. It is in the best interest of everyone involved to allow my
mind and heart to be renewed, right?!” That steady beat of lies carries the
time even more loudly, blinding me of His truth.
Silk
sets off again, and I finally decide to schlepp myself out of bed, unaware that
the song of my heart is actually what is dragging me each step of the way.
“By
now, there is no time to sit and be still,” the beat fabricates its slanderous
melody.
The
dissonance resonates through my heart, my mind, my words, my actions, stealing
the joy and partaking of the opportunity to fill that slot with darkness.
The
days are filled with scores of melodies driven by the beat of self-importance
and undiscerning lyrics. This consumptive, wreckful song plays on repeat.
UNTIL…one
day, when I hear the call of my Savior,
“Awaken,
sleeper! Arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!”
God
longs to hear a melody in my heart for Him. How did I allow myself to slumber
so long, to stay immersed in darkness until it blanketed me with its
comfortable familiarity?
This
call to awaken in Ephesians 5:14 addresses Christians who are sleep-walking.
Now that I am conscious and cognizant, I can see that the beat of my heart has
led me astray. Lord Jesus, guide me to change the tone, to make melody with my
heart to You!
Music
is a powerful thing. Studies show that simply listening to music activates the
auditory, motor, and limbic portions of our brains, enhancing brain function,
increasing psychological arousal, inducing a physiological relaxation response,
improving motor coordination, and reducing muscle tension. Music is proven to
be more effective in reducing pain and stress than prescription medications. It
reduces the production of cortisol, a stress related hormone, and increases
antibodies linked to immunities. Music produces a revulsive effect, gives a
sense of control, regulates blood pressure and heart rate. The list of benefits
of music could go on and on.
It is
no surprise that God, the creator of music, would include this beautiful gift
in His Word. Music is referenced throughout Scripture as a means of worship, as
part of coronations and events in royal court, to communicate emotions or
recall particulars, feasts, and even a tool used by God to do miraculous
things. The walls of Jericho fell at the trumpet blasts in Joshua 6. David
soothed Saul during demonic attacks in 1 Samuel 16. Psalm 98:7-8 describes
music arising from creation in praise to our Sovereign King, “Let the sea roar
and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. Let the rivers clap
their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy!”
I am
awakened. My eyes are open, and I can see the destruction left in the wake of
my slumber. Psalm 139:16 reminds me that my Creator has seen my unformed substance;
and in His book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as
yet there was not one of them. How many of those days did God see in His book
before He formed me that I would waste between wakings, allowing the worldly
rhythm to drive the beat of my heart? Psalm 39:5 warns me that “surely every
man at his best is a mere breath.” Let me waste not one more moment, not allow
one more breath to be driven by melodies lost to myself.
Shanna Smith loves Jesus, her family, and life, in general. She is wife to super talented Jeremy and mother to three uniquely awesome children. She believes music (and chocolate) make all of life's moments better.
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