The Music Of Life

’m sitting in my kitchen listening to the wind chimes outside on the porch.  If I look out the window I can see them getting played pretty strongly by the wind.  I have never really been a fan of wind chimes, as I find they can be quite annoying at times.  You know, like when you are trying to sleep, have a conversation or listening to music with the window open.  Annoying! 

Oddly enough today they made me stop and think about a few things.  As I watched the wind give them a good work out I realized they were still playing pretty music. The more the winds blew the louder the music became.  Even the heaviest gusts of winds produced music and it even produced louder music.  This made me stop and think.  I wondered about myself.  As a Christian, does my life play beautiful music despite the hard winds that may be blowing around me?  When life’s storms are raging their hardest, does my faith stand up in the storm?  Does my joy, my love for Jesus, my life song play even louder?

I wish I could say, “YES!” and “YES!” and “YES!” to those three questions.  But, I fall short.  I’m still growing in my walk and although I want to react or act a certain way, I often fail.  As I have matured in my walk I feel like I have improved on these things, but I also know there is still work to be done.  Thankfully, God knows we are human and is with us always to help us learn and grow in Him.  (Phew….I have to say here…I’d be in a great, big mess otherwise!)

I want to be the kind of person that shows Jesus not only in the quiet seasons of life but also when the storms are raging.  I want people to know that I trust Him even when I don’t understand and that no matter what I go through I am never alone!   People are hurting.  For some the winds seem unbearable and they need hope, they need Jesus.  Jesus is our only hope in this life.  Remember that old hymn by Edward Mote that says: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”  It’s true!

Have you ever been in a place where the winds of life are bearing down so heavy you don’t feel like you can even breathe? I think we all have.  If you haven’t, well, you probably will.  Unfortunately, we live in a broken world and much pain comes with that.  Many people don’t talk about it, but many have been there.

I have been in that place….a place of dark despair. Like many of you, I know the hurt of betrayal, the ache of a broken heart, the physical pain brought on by stress and the torture of lying awake at night sobbing to the Lord for some kind of relief. Many nights have been spent just begging God to take me home or fix things or something….anything that will bring relief to the situation!  I know what it’s like to have people talking behind my back (which in turn would not only hurt me but my family as well), being two-faced and judging situations they know nothing about.  I have watched family members suffer great losses in many different ways. I have watched people I care about taking their last breaths and have felt the heartache of their passing.  This list could go on and on it seems. So could yours.

Can I say here, that like those wind chimes, I sang beautifully during those heavy winds?  No.  I did not.  I actually failed quite miserably now that I look back on some of those situations.  But, after the fact, as I look back I can see changes in myself.  I know these are the times God was working in my life, teaching me to trust Him, teaching me to “lean not on my own understanding.”  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

My life may not have played beautiful music at the time but my life song does play a little louder now.  I would not be where I am today if not for the faithfulness and love of Jesus.  He has never left my side, even though I felt alone. He will not leave you either.  

I have to tell you that no matter what you go through in this life.  Jesus Christ is unchanging.  He does not change.  The Bible tells us this:  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.(Hebrews 13:8)

So, even when you can’t feel hope, when you feel like you are questioning your faith, when you really just don’t get it or understand why things are happening, we must turn to the Bible.  I believe the Bible.  I believe its promises.  When you are in despair, find a verse and cling to it.  God keeps His Word!  He will not fail you.  He does not change, not ever!!! God knows we are human and broken people.  He knows we struggle and make mistakes, but He loves us just as a parent loves their child.  Nothing will ever make Him love you anymore or any less than He already does.  How AWESOME is that???  His heart is full of love for YOU!  He will be with you always.  Don’t forget it! 

The more I go through life the more I realize that during these times when I cling to a verse or a song it gets engraved in my mind.  Then, when things come along those verses will come back to my mind and get me through the next situation and the next and the next….

Does your life play beautiful music during the hard times?  If not, maybe we could work at this together?  Maybe we can focus on The Word of God and His promises until we get through those heavy winds?  Then after, we can let our life song sing a little louder.  We could let our lives chime loudly as we praise The One who carried us through, inviting others to share in the beauty of the music. 

The next time you hear a wind chime ask yourself this question: “Is my life playing beautiful music?”  Let’s allow our lives to play beautiful music to the King of Kings, the Author of our lives, our Creator.  When those heavy winds come and you are in your darkest hours and you don’t think you can even breathe – sing louder!  Faith is not feeling.  Faith is belief.  Believe!! Trust!!  Know!!  

 So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles! 

Our God is a God of Miracles! 

Count Your Blessings…