Enough heavy stuff. It does get us all down doesn’t it?
I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face the other day as I listened to various renderings of ‘The Blessing’ from around the world. With all the recent hostility and ugliness it was a refreshing change to listen to people from every tribe singing this song – which we’ve highlighted here before. I love the different voices and languages blended in a familiar song. God’s so creative and diverse in expression with the same universal message of invitation into his grace.
If you want to be encouraged take some time to click on the song from very different places, circumstances, and cultures. Watch the people singing – all races, languages, and no doubt economic and educational backgrounds. Watch their eyes and expressions as they immerse themselves in the experience of singing in isolation while digitally joining together with others. See eyes light up, smiles play on lips, and hearts open in worship. Some dance, some sway, some gesticulate to the beat, some do it all inside their heads.
It’s the most beautiful expression of unity and a witness to how Jesus touches hearts around the world in our day. He is not trapped by our borders, denominations, dogmas, or theologies. His presence and character is so familiar and recognizable in every face. I wanted to stop and knock on the monitor and chat to so many who were singing and hear their story. I was moved and smiling because God’s Spirit just gets on with it while we bicker and become so distracted – even in his name at times.
I was moved by those who smiled and sang from the troubled and poverty stricken Zimbabwe. Yes, some will immediately recount tales of history and what happened there. But God has no favorites and his love reaches out to all. And I know that I’ve been equally troubled and poverty stricken in my years and he never withdrew wagging a finger at me as he walked away. I was inspired by the song from Asian countries who struggle with persecution and yet have so many courageous testimonies. Then there’s Sweden, France, India, Ireland, Lebanon, Celtic, and many, many more.
I’ve pinned a few up here for ease of access, but there are many more on Youtube. It’s similar to the joy people experienced dancing around the world to Jersusalema out of South Africa. Song and dance are accessible to all and there’s something about doing it together that is good for the heart and the soul. Music transcends the rational, it melts walls, and it moves hearts. And when God’s love infiltrates then it sinks deep into our very beings. Where words fail we just know that we know his hope and truth that refreshes, inspires, heals, and brings life. Like water tumbling down a dry river bed – and thank God there’s a stream flowing once again. God’s streaming – is the best.
Enjoy, don’t rush, wear headphones, and allow God to livestream from around the world through ordinary people touched by him into your dry and thirsty heart. We are brothers and sisters of One Lord, One God, touched by one Jesus, filled with the same Holy Spirit…… Love triumphs now and eventually everywhere. Hallelujah!
Once again:
The Blessing
The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace
Amen, amen, amen (we sing, we sing)
Amen, amen, amen
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you
In the morning, in the evening
In your…
And forty plus…….
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