Music has so much to do with the emotions; that is a large part of where we minister. The flip side of that is that we, if we are not careful, can turn from singing God's praises to singing the blues.
Even in Bible times, people called for musicians when they wanted to feel sad. In Jesus' day, both with Jairus's daughter and the funeral of Lazarus, people had mourners available. What is so interesting is that if your family was very small and there weren't enough family members to mourn . . . now get this . . . YOU COULD HIRE PROFESSIONAL MOURNERS. These were people who could wail and sing and stir everyone up to really feel bad. (We'll talk more about Lazarus later.)
When the children of Israel were told to possess the Promised Land, they had some enemies to fight. Each of these tribes had a name, the "-ites" as some like to say. Now what is so interesting is that one of the names of the these tribes comes from a root word meaning "to sing a funeral dirge." This tells us that, to go into what God has for you, one of the enemies that MUST be run off is the tendency to "sing the blues" or to feel sorry for yourself.
And folks, who sings the blues better than musicians?
8O
Now be careful when you sing those blues, because there is such a thing as a martyr's spirit . . . and I'm not talking about a spirit that is willing to give up it's life for the Gospel, either. :wink: I'm talking about a spirit that wants other people to mourn for you, to feel bad with you and for you. To pretend that no-one has it as bad as you, that no one has been as misunderstood as you, that you must just "keep on keepin' on." Maybe you have heard the song in one form or another:
Lead Singer / Soloist: "Well, will things get better in my choir?"
Then someone will pick up the chorus:
Choir: "Child, no. Every choir is like that . . . it's because the devil started here, you know."
Then we break up into special parts:
Part One: "You should work with MY choir. They won't sing on key."
Part Two: "At least they sing, child. Mine won't open their mouths."
Part Three: "You need to be grateful. My people won't even show up!"
:wink:
Now listen very carefully. Our emotions are important, God made our souls and emotions aren't going to go anywhere. When we feel discouraged temporarily, we can run immediately to God and get help in time of need. DON'T CONFUSE GOD WITH OTHER PEOPLE. God cares about us, and told us to run to the Throne of Grace to get help in time of need. Everyone can feel discouraged from time to time . . . .it's part of learning how not to let people control you. Can I repeat that? IT'S PART OF LEARNING HOW NOT TO LET PEOPLE CONTROL YOU.
You say, "I thought there was something wrong with me. Everyone was telling me to stay encouraged, but I wasn't being encouraged at all!"
No, there was nothing wrong with you. As long as you are human, you will have emotions. Some of you are in a season where you have to learn to please God and not man. There's an anoiting stirring, so I'm gonna repeat that. SOME OF YOU MUSICIANS ARE IN A SEASON WHERE YOU ARE LEARNING TO PLEASE GOD AND NOT MAN. Discouragement is one of the "ites" you are facing RIGHT NOW. When you refuse to give in and ask God for discernment, the Holy Ghost will show you what you need to see and what you need to do. No need to sing the blues.
Decide now that you are not going to be a professional mourner, like the musicians in Jesus' day. Take down your "Mourner for Hire" sign, I'm shutting down your mourning business! If you read carefully in the text, you will find out how Jesus dealt with "all those who were making a noise." He PUT THEM ALL OUT! (Mark Chapter five, verse forty). I don't Jesus to put me out, do you?
So instead of singing the blues, let's do what the Bible says. If a brother has a problem with another, prayerfully go to that brother and tell him his fault between he and thee alone. Tell the truth in love. Letr nothing be done through strife or vainglory.
And our blues will turn into shouts of victory. Won't that be fine. :wink:
Be Blessed . . .
BBoy
