Invisible Orchestra
May 12, 2012
Six am on a Saturday morning is a time that I rarely acknowledge, but it was at that moment that I could ignore the cats’ Herculean attempts to get me up to feed them no longer. In addition, Timothy started calling the puppies loudly, begging them to come outside and play. And so, grumbling all the while, I fed the cats and then headed out of the door with the dogs.
In concept early morning walks are not something I enjoy, the reality usually turns out quite different…
The sun was already up, the sky a brilliant clear blue, and the half moon just beginning to fade. No frost this morning, and yet I could see the puppies’ warm breath mingle as they battled and wrestled their way along the fields. It is at times like these that I thank Wellington for his insightful footwear. Every blade of grass was threaded with a bead of dew such that I left a small rivulet as my trail!
Walking alone in the fields one would anticipate silence – not so this morning – I found myself serenaded by God’s invisible orchestra. The trees and fields pulsated with song from all around, as the birds gathered and nested. It is at times like these that I am frustrated by my lack of knowledge - needing to see to identify.
Of course I knew that it was a woodpecker providing the percussion, an overhead Canada goose the tuba, but which birds made up the string section?? I will never know for sure, but on my way back, camouflaged almost to perfection I spotted one of the many providers of the melody. Against the backdrop of a field that has yet to sprout I saw a small brown song sparrow clinging to one of the tall dried grasses of last year – singing its tiny heart out for an audience of one. I stopped and listened, focussed upon the single song amongst many, grateful to have been granted a new seed of knowledge.
There are many reasons why we Christians hold back from showing our faith out in the open – fear of ridicule, embarrassment, the desire to be a part of the “in” crowd, attempting to keep up with the “Joneses”, etc. It is just WAY easier and more comfortable to keep our public demonstrations limited to those we make in church. In doing so however we are effectively keeping our faith hidden in the trees, and negating Jesus' sacrifice on behalf of those who need to know but we fear to tell. If you are to plant a seed in Jesus’ name, you need to be the song sparrow singing your heart out in the open.
Lianna Klassen – Listen to the Sound
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound of the nations praising God
Listen to the sound every tongue and tribe lifting Jesus high.
This sound is heard, that’s as old as the earth
And the hope of the world rests upon it
For the enemy runs at the powerful sound
When God’s people above stand united.
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound of the nations praising God
Listen to the sound every tongue and tribe lifting Jesus high.
The book of mercy, the voices long silences
Cry out for the freedom to worship the Lord
In Jesus’ name we declare to the nations
Be silent no longer – shout for Joy!
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