Happy I’m-tired-of-yoyo-weather-Saturday, friends!
Thursday’s high temperature in Amarillo was 102. Yesterday’s wind chill (I refuse to say “feels like temperature”) was in the mid-30’s.
It’s the second time in the past two weeks that we’ve had a 70 degree temperature difference within 24 hours.
In case you missed it, I’m tired of it.
In case you missed THIS: My being tired of it is completely irrelevant.
Changes nothing. Accomplishes nothing.
So why bring it up?
Exactly!
I brought it up to make a point (or two, or …)
It’s easier to put our energy into ranting about things over which we have no control or influence than to put energy into actions that will touch someone’s life in our communities today.
It’s easier to share our grievances on social media than it is to focus on how we can use our voices to encourage our community and point them to hope.
Maybe instead of investing ourselves so heavily in pointing out what’s wrong with the world, we could invest our energies a bit more in pointing out what’s right and wonderful about Jesus.
My hymn text today—“I Stand in Awe of You”—always makes me think of my former associate pastor/forever friend and brother, Greg Duke. He’s the one who introduced me to this song many years ago when we served together at Eagle Mountain Baptist Church.
This is one of those worship songs sometimes referred to as “vertical” (songs sung TO as opposed to ABOUT Jesus).
I think a healthy faith moves seamlessly between the vertical and horizontal. The more we sing and talk TO Jesus—recognizing His awesome, indescribable praiseworthiness—the more we’re able to sing and talk ABOUT Jesus.
And the more we sing and talk ABOUT Him, the more we’re drawn back TO Him as our Source of life and being.
And when I read Psalm 87, and see the phrase “born in Zion,” my mind goes back to another song from the 1980s (I know you’re shocked).
I have a special memory of Wayne Watson’s 1985 song “Born in Zion.”!
From 1984-1988, I served as Associate Pastor of Music and Youth at Eagle Mountain Baptist Church (I later returned as Senior Pastor from 1991-2008).
A young lady in our youth group wanted to sing “Born in Zion” as “special music” on Sunday morning.
Our church had a somewhat unique approach to such things: we placed more value on how we could encourage people—especially children and teenagers—to publicly use their gifts, than we did on how much their gifts were enjoyed by the congregation.
On this Sunday morning, I introduced the singer and stepped back to my seat on the platform.
She managed to get out the first couple of phrases and then became overwhelmed in the moment. She just froze up.
The music continued to play as she tried unsuccessfully to get her voice to cooperate.
I knew the song well and so I stepped up beside her, put my arm around her shoulder, and started singing.
As the song continued, she began to relax and find her voice. We finished the song as a duet.
The congregation responded with loud applause and “amens.”
If you were to ask me how I knew what was needed in that moment, I’d have to honestly tell you that I didn’t.
But Jesus did.
And I think He gave me a nudge and, in so doing, He marvelously demonstrated how He can use those who belong to Him—and who are willing to invest their energies in focusing on Him—to build beautiful and encouraging communities.
None of that is dependent on weather, or what political party is in power, or what’s on the news today.
It’s us. Talking, singing, praying TO and ABOUT, together.
Be amazing today, my friend.
