While attending seminary, I took a class on preaching. After my first sermon to the class, the professor without hesitation proclaimed, “You need voice lessons.” Huh? Let me quickly state that never once did a musical note or lyric jump from my lips while preaching the Word. Yet his critique remained rigid. I needed voice lessons.
Granted, my voice is probably not that bad . . . maybe. At least this is a written blog and not audio. I have often wished for a voice deep and sonorous. One of my good friends, Tim Meier, has such a voice; yet he is unwilling to trade. While it may be true I need voice lessons merely to preach, it is certainly true when it comes to music. If I were to sing a solo, I would have to be the one paying people to attend. Yet, “in my heart there rings a melody.”
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head, only to find yourself humming or singing the tune throughout the day? I can’t think of the last time some tune hasn’t been tap dancing on my taste buds. Most people blame songs like “It’s a Small World After All” as the destruction of their lyrical exuberance; but for me, though vocally challenged as I may be, I sway, sing, and shout many a melody.
So what tune has my tongue these days? Last night in simple giddiness the old hymn “He Keeps Me Singing” bubbled forth. Its first verse and chorus reads:
There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.
On a similar note, over the last several weeks “Blessed Assurance” has captured my attention:
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Saviour am happy and blest,
Seeking, responding, life from above,
Filled with His presence, lost in His love.*
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long.
Let me exhort you, whether vocally challenged or heavenly harmonious, may there ever be an anthem of praise stirring our hearts, wiggling our toes, and dancing upon our taste buds.
In my heart there rings a melody, there rings a melody of Love.
______________________
* For those wondering why the last two lines of this stanza was changed, please be patient, there is a blog of explanation soon coming.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, deeperChristian will receive an affiliate commission (with no additional cost to you). It is a great way to support the work and ministry of deeperChristian. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”