Part of a Song
by Barbara Chadwick

Photo from http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/wp-content/uploads/songbird-1.jpg

As we were driving to town one day I heard a few notes of a bird’s song. It was so pretty I wished we could have stopped to hear the rest.

Now isn’t it amazing that driving along the country highway 74E at 55 miles per hour with all our windows and vents closed we could hear part of that bird’s song?

Isn’t it that way in life too? We go along singing our song, blessing others and being blessed in return but something happens. The evil one whispers in our ears, “Do you really think things are that rosy?” and we begin to get negative about things. We begin to close off all our receptors to the Holy Spirit and the joy He brings to our hearts. When we hear negative comments we nod our heads in agreement. When we hear criticism of anyone we concur. When someone says something positive we say, “Yes, but there’s this ugly thing …”

There is a woman in our church. At first I thought, “What a pretty lady” because she is very attractive and outgoing. But as I got to know her I began to realize I didn’t even want to be around her because she was so negative and critical. What happened to her song?

Then there is another woman – not nearly as pretty but just as outgoing. I look forward to seeing her every Sunday. She always has a smile and something positive and happy to say. I love her song.

You know in the grocery store how you overhear someone? When it’s a grumble it makes you feel bad that you heard that part of their song but when you hear someone laugh it’s like a tinkling of a bell and you involuntarily smile. You feel blessed that you overheard part of their song.

From Exodus to Revelation the scriptures instruct us to sing a new song. How happy our hearts are when we can sing to the Lord. Our songs (our words and language) need to encourage and lift.

Ephesians 5:1 instructs us to, Be imitators of God…as dearly beloved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Then in verse 19 we’re told to Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So you’re not going to go about your days as if you’re in a musical singing every word. But live your days as a fragrant offering to the Lord, loving and encouraging others and always giving thanks to God for everything so that if someone hears even a part of your song they will be lifted up.