Safe Place

Psalms 46 - a song.


1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Yesterday I was praying, and waited to see what I should read. This first week I didn't want to be systematic or read a specific text for Lent; instead I wanted to just let the Spirit directly minister to my heart. John 1 is a familiar passage, and thus was a walk through memory; the above passage was chosen because yesterday was the 46th day of the year.

I sing. Yes, many people sing, but I sing about everything and anyone - or at least I did when I was a kid. My family has dozens of stories of the silly songs I'd sing - often just describing what I was doing in that moment. Singing was the calming affect on my soul that often felt divided. I also talk, ask anyone and they'll tell you I talk a lot. The exchange of information, sharing of one's innermost being with another is a passion of mine - so I talk. However I have a hard time taking this passion to talk and directing it to my Creator or having it change me. Yesterday I prayed with words for a minute or two - but I get so distracted and bored. I then went to Psalms 46, and saw it was a song. What better way to read a song than to sing it aloud? As I sang a new tune to an old song, it was evident this writer was a singer. In case you didn't know the Sons of Korah wrote many Psalms. Here I found a kindred heart - singing one's prayers. After I finished this Psalm I proceeded to pray for the few burdens on my heart, all through song. I felt the connection with the Creator - and while emotion is not the basis of our faith - the feeling of connection put a joy in my heart and a reminder of the love from my Creator.

So what does this have to do with Lent?

I will hopefully reflect to that later. Currently I have a few oxen stuck in a well that demand my immediate attention. (Luke 14:5) Blessings.