Hearing the Music

written by Rachelle

I hoisted my gym bag over my shoulder the other day as I walked through the YMCA parking lot. Only two other people were around, a woman and a little boy about five years old. I smiled at them as we passed. I headed for the door. They ambled toward a blue minivan.

"Mama, I hear music."

My steps slowed as my eyes roved around the half-full lot. Music?

I didn't hear the mother's reply. Instead, as I looked up at the flagpole, I heard the flag fluttering in the winter wind. The call of geese flying overhead suddenly seemed loud and...musical.

I rushed inside the gym, threw my stuff in my locker, and pulled a pad of paper and a pen from my purse. I just had to write that down, because I realized something.

Hope is a lot like music.

Sometimes it's easier to hear. Sometimes it's so faint that many miss its sweet tones.

Psalm 31:24, "Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord." (NKJV)

The music of hope is a hard thing to hear when busyness rolls over us like an epic movie theme...or when grief makes our hearts thump fast like the loud beat of drums...or even when complacency plays a piano in the background of our souls.

All of these sounds and more can drown out hope's music.

Silence, especially.

The silence of hopelessness, despair, and destruction can pin us to the wall and plug our ears.

But through all the noise - and silence - in our lives, God calls us to listen...to hope...to know He is working in our overloaded lives, our sorrow, even our boredom with the everyday. He makes all things new...and He sings over us the song of hope. Even more amazing? He calls us to sing along so that the song grows ever stronger.

Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (NKJV)

Hope is hearing music when it would be easier to collapse in the silence.

So look around you...and listen. It may be the flag fluttering in the winter breeze or a flock of geese calling as they soar overhead.

Lord, I hear music.