Everyone loves a flawless performance, but it was when a young man named Denim forgot the lyrics to his song that the pure Love of God washed over everyone listening until we were in tears.
Until we were in love.
Denim was singing, when suddenly his nerves ambushed him and the lyrics fled.
There was just enough panicked pause for us to notice the silence.
I saw his eyes flash dread and sympathy crept up my neck.
I blushed for him, but then…a deep, resonant baritone voice began to rise from somewhere near the front, loud and not holding back…
It was his own father singing the verse with his son until he was able to remember the words.
We didn’t just hear his voice, we felt it as a parable unfolded.
God was showing us through this unexpected father-son duet a picture of us and Himself, how life can take us over, take us by surprise, or hurt us so deeply we forget how to love, how to forgive, how to sing.
But from deep inside comes the gentle thunder of our Father’s Voice, haunting lyrics written in scrolling veins beneath our skin, as our Creator sings over us until we remember again, and are able to sing on our own.
If today you feel that you’ve forgotten the words to your life, like you’ve forgotten how to feel, or you have just enough energy to go through the motions, hear Your Father singing over you…
Take your time, and when you’re ready, begin to sing again.
Know that it is not your singing that testifies of God’s Love to the world, but your long pause, allowing His Voice to be heard…
That’s when the parable unfolds.
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will quiet you with His love.
He will rejoice over you with loud, joyful singing.
~ Zephaniah 3:17