CHRISTIAN KARAOKE

Yup, I have sung karaoke.

Once.

In my entire lifetime.

In my defense, I was coaxed, cajoled (forced??) by an unruly mob of elementary school moms *cutting loose* after school was over for the year. (No worries – it was a pretty tame crowd…mostly…)

Truthfully, it was fun – though the audience having to listen to me might have used other words like ear-splitting, painful, woefully off-key, embarrassing…

Let me tell you, karaoke brings something out in people – most of it isn't good!!

I vividly remember when I found out that "The Hub" used to sing karaoke. I was shocked! Honestly, this was like finding out that John Wayne used to dance ballet.

And, he had a favorite song – "El Paso."

It's a song that was made famous by Marty Robbins. The lyrics tell quite a story, let me tell you! I try to picture "The Hub" up there wailing away – I can't quite wrap my mind around the image. I think I'm gonna add a request to my "bucket list."

So, where am I going with this idea of Christian karaoke, you might ask?

Here's what popped into my head.

Lately, there has been a LOT of stuff going on in my life. I have felt winded by the things that have come up. And again, I find myself striving to make everything work out – trying my best to take care of everyone – attempting to run my own little life on my own.

Sigh.

Most of the time I don't even realize I'm doing it – it's become such a habit. It's usually when I feel exhausted that it dawns on me that I just might have left the Lord behind in my frantic frenzy.

But here's the deal with karaoke.

It isn't songwriting.

Basically, the melody and the lyrics have already been written. It's a song, whole in its entirety, long before I make my attempts to sing it.

Just like life.

The Lord knows.

From beginning to end.

Every high note, every low note – the sharps and the flats – the rests – the chorus that repeats itself.

Remember…

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

(Psalm 139:16)

And God is not only the Master Songwriter – He is also the Maestro of the Orchestra. He is the one with the baton who conducts the music.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

(Romans 8:28)

I think I'm learning that I am not the composer of my life.

I have not written the melody or the lyrics.

I do not hold the baton.

In some ways that scares me – yet, in many ways it's a tremendous relief.

All God wants out of me is some Christian karaoke.

To sing along with Him…

His tune, His words, His arrangement.

On my own, about all I could do is write a simple rendition of "Chopsticks." But if I truly turn things over to God, I have a feeling that Handel's "Messiah" might be what He's teaching me.

So, I think I need to learn to sing HIS song.

To trust where the music leads me.

To understand that my singing is just one voice in a great multitude of voices, in heaven and on earth, that sing to the glory of God.

"And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: 'Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.'"

(Revelation 5:13)

Oh! It's time to sing a new song of praise and thanksgiving!

Can someone please hand me a microphone?!

Are you singing along with God, or are you trying to write the music?

Linked today with Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"