Music is a many splendid thing.
It causes us to worship and it causes us to think. Our heart is encouraged and touched with the prose of song and our life is challenged by the truth of the lyric. Music causes us to look beyond our circumstance to a place where we have anchored our hope in things unseen. To start this process in motion there must be a willing participant in the form of a songwriter. A willing servant of God. A soul that while looking at the things of God and the experiences of life is inspired by that divine presence who’s spirit leads and guides those whose lives belong to Him. I have met such a man. Recently I was honored with the privilege of spending time with singer songwriter Squire Parsons in my office after a concert at our church.
Though I am quite sure he would shy away from the title great because of his humble spirit, Gentleman Squire Parsons fills the requirements more than adequately. I have experienced the distinct honor of observing the far reaching effects of God’s call on his life through watching thousands experience his music and witnessing firsthand the responses that range from overflowing joy to earnest conviction. I walked away from our time together sensing in this man the gentle demeanor of a servant combined with the courage of an Old Testament prophet. The kindest of smiles married to the Godly compassion of Christ while at the same time blended with the poetic ability of the psalmist David. God has given to us through his pen such songs as “Master Of The Sea”, “Oh What A Moment”, “The Broken Rose”, “He Came To Me”, “I Call It Home”, “I Sing Because”, “I’m Not Giving Up”, “I Go To The Rock”. And in 1981, the SINGING NEWS voted “Favorite Song Of The Year” his song, “Sweet Beulah Land”. God has chosen to bless us through the obedience of a Godly man. This reminds me of the passage of scripture that explains to us where the bible came from. In the second letter the apostle Paul wrote to his son in the faith Timothy he declared, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Not only does Paul explain to us why God gave us the scriptures, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”, but he also allows us the see the process in which it takes place. It comes by inspiration from God. This fact brings to mind the obvious truth that to be inspired by God we must be people of God. The wisest man who ever lived underscores this truth… “I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.” Again we see when man looks to God for inspiration the result is always good.
So what about you, where do you find inspiration and direction? What is it that guides your life? I read of a young artist who was studying under a great master and came one day to beg permission to use the master’s brush. The request was granted and with a singing heart the young man went away to his own painting thinking that now his work would be much better. A short while later he returned with the brush complaining that he could do no better with it than he could with his own brush. An assistant in the studio, hearing the young mans lament said to him, “friend it is not the master’s brush you need, but the master’s devotion”, the master’s spirit.” We are everyone moved and or motivated by something or someone. The problem is that we often come face to face with the reality that our life is not what we wish it to be. The song of our existence is not pleasant experience. What to do you ask? Again the Psalmist suggests, “Be still and know that I am God”.
A.W. Tozer said, “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified.” When we are in tune with God our lives find that perfect pitch that each created being longs for. True purpose, real living and contentment and satisfaction that can be found nowhere else save in a close relationship with the God who created us. Where do you find the melody? What song does your life sing? May each of us experience the notes and melody that God had created us to experience!
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