Whenever we attempt to describe God, we come face to face with the reality that we don’t have a vocabulary adequate enough for the task. We can’t describe God – He is indescribable. Sometimes a place or a picture can help us.
Recently, I was back on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to lead a rehearsal of a combined choir from 12 or so churches. We were preparing for “Crescent City Praise,” to be held on March 8. It’s a wonderful event on the campus where churches come from all over to declare the greatness of God in that city. This year, the celebration includes a unique time of thanksgiving for the centennial anniversary of ministry at NOBTS.
When I first walked in, I took this picture:
As I walked further into the chapel, an attribute of God came into focus in my soul – His faithfulness. I immediately started singing one of the songs we were going to rehearse that day –
Our faithful God, true to the end
He was faithful before, He’ll be faithful again
Remember His goodness, trust in His plan
Our faithful God, Our faithful God*
Something about walking into that room reminded me of how God saw us through those years of our lives. Teresa and I went to seminary with fear and trembling, knowing only one thing – that God was leading us to go. God was faithful. He kept every promise and made every provision.
In Psalms, we see the same pattern over and over – God calls – His servant goes – God is faithful – and the song comes forth.
Whenever the song of praise seems distant and hard to sing – look back through the scrapbook of your life.
Soon, you’ll find a picture or a place where the song still lives. And you will sing again.
* Our Faithful God (words & music by Chris and Diane Machen, Mike Harland)
Mike Harland is the Director of LifeWay Worship. When he’s not directing 30+ employees, you’ll find him leading worship at various churches around the country, writing/arranging worship songs and/or, writing his next book. In his spare time, he loves playing basketball and spending time with his family. Mike can be found on Twitter @MikeHarlandLW and on facebook.com/Mike.Harland.37.
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