From somewhere deep in the pines a songbird sings. As the stars end their evening song, the bird begins her’s, continuing the perpetual praise. Up and down the scale her voice serenades in the dark, singing promises of morning light. Black as ink are the woods at this time of the night but soon, beams of morning light will crack open the eastern horizon revealing a new day.
My eyes slowly open at the sound of song in the pines. Then, as if waiting for sleep to release me, burdens draw near and whisper their plans for the day.
Thoughts of bills, decisions my children are facing, and how to strengthen relationships in my life; then remembering the grass that needs to be cut and edged, groceries purchased, and finding time to exercise, all come running to the front of my thoughts.
Funny how that happens; before feet touch the wooden floor, my mind rolls over and embraces the thoughts tossing wildly in the dark. I want to be the songbird, high above it all singing into my darkness. From the depths of my being I want a fount of praise to rise before the sun and spill out for all to hear.
What was I taught in church? To take these thoughts captive, tether them, and put into their proper place?
The songbird has never had Sunday lessons in the theology of praise; it comes from deep within her. It is embedded in the weave of her marrow, rising up despite the dark of night, to sing. To her it is like breath, it is something she must do to live.
As thoughts of the day interrupt each other, vying for attention and clamoring for position, I hear a song coming from the spirit deep within me:
“Holy Spirit You are welcome here,
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.
Your glory God is what our hearts long for,
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord”
My spirit hears the praise, and choosing the song of heaven over the cry of earth, my spirit joins in the refrain.
“Holy are you Lord, Holy.” I whisper in the dark. Once I release my voice in Worship the world begins to change. For God abides in the praises of His people. What darkness, dread or burden can stand in the presence of love, light and laud?
We are His people, set apart to worship. It is in our deep, our marrow, embedded in our soul. The spirit within us leads us to the way to praise and worship. A honing device placed in us with our first breath – The part of us that hears the melody of heaven, if we will only listen.
Worship is as natural as steam rising on a hot summer day. It is a part of us. Worship is our spiritual art expressing our heart to God.(tweet this). If only we will let go, it would pour from us like water from a clay pot, pure and unfiltered by theology.
There is a place early in the morning and throughout the day, and even in our darkest places, that our spirit longs for the presence of The Lord. When we surrender to that primal need, then our soul will begin to sing like a songbird in the night.
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalms 143:8
(Holy Spirit – Lyrics by Bryan and Katie Torwalt)
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So lovely, Diane. I love this line: ” As the stars end their evening song, the bird begins hers, continuing the perpetual praise.” Ah . . . the perpetual praise. I think of how the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy, when God laid the cornerstone of the earth. They worshipped. Like you, I can toss and turn, and my mind ruminates on all my fears and responsibilities. I do this most in the middle of the night as I cower under covers of fear. I love to sing, and funny . . . I had never thought of singing then–just when I need it most. Singing itself brings joy, and is one of God’s greatest gifts of worship. And singing in the dark (even metaphorically) can surely herald the dawn. I love this quote by Emily Dickinson: “Hope is the thing with feathers /That perches in the soul,/And sings the tune–without the words,/And never stops at all.” Oh thank you so much for this sweet encouragement to never stop singing at all–especially in the dark. May we all be morning stars as we sing praises to the Bright Morning Star, Jesus our Lord. (Rev. 22:16). With Jesus we will be able to sing our songs in the night, because one day we will live in perpetual morning. I so thank you for sharing, Diane!
Love
Lynn
Lynn, how beautifully you write, even in comments! Thank you for this quote from Emily Dickinson, it is lovely. I am so thankful for meeting you and having you in my life.
Diane, I hope you can read this. Your photo is blocking your words, to some degree, in your reply–at least in what I am seeing. But I can read most of your response, and I do thank you for your loving generosity. You are so special. I’m not sure exactly how God started connecting us, but I am sooo glad that He did! I thank God for you and the vision He has given you. Love
Lynn
I loved this Diane:
“There is a place early in the morning and throughout the day, and even in our darkest places, that our spirit longs for the presence of The Lord. When we surrender to that primal need, then our soul will begin to sing like a songbird in the night.”
I have made it a habit for some time, to give thanks as soon as my eyes open in the mornings. But I think my soul needs to give praise instead! What a wonderful way to start the day! Beautifully written!
Ellen, thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to visit. What a beautiful way to begin you day – with thanks. I know you are a joy to the Lord!
I love this line, Di — “What darkness, dread or burden can stand in the presence of love, light and laud?” Reminds me of 1 John 4:18,
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…
Yes, Susan this is a good verse to go with this post. No Fear. Thank you!
Diane, What a blessing that our paths have crossed. I love your writing; it grounds me. Thank you.
Sharon, to be able to call you my new friend is a joy for me. I am a fan of your writing as well.