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Arting it up in the Upper Room #LXII
15 years ago
General
Art in the Dark
Read Psalm 57
The psalmist wrote, "I will sing and make music."
-Psalm 57:7 (NIV)
ONE morning after Daddy's funeral, when I was back home again, I found myself lost in sorrow during my prayer time, staring mutely at the wall. As I relived the events of the preceding week and the many acts of kindness shown to our family, I suddenly wished for a way besides a card to express my gratitude to my parents' pastor and a few extraordinarily helpful neighbors.
I decided to make personalized, handmade gifts for each of them. While working on the gifts the next several days, I found that instead of being lost in sorrow I was caught up in prayerful creativity. My mood improved dramatically, and by the time I took my offerings to the post office, I felt deeply comforted.
Now I recall this incident each time I read Psalm 57, written while its author was hiding in a cave, fearing for his life. David -- the shepherd, the warrior, the king -- was also a poet and a musician. Doubtless, his "song in the dark" provided peace and reassurance to him, and now it does the same for us. It also reminds us that we all possess some creative ability, in music or handicrafts, in homemaking or business, that we can consecrate to God and use for the good of others. When we employ these skills -- especially as we suffer through crisis and loss -- we may find ourselves surprisingly encouraged.
Deanna Overstreet (New Mexico, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to use our talents to bless others, even when we are hurting. Amen.
Thought for the Day
List three of your talents and skills. Beside each one, list a way to use that skill for others.
Prayer Focus
Musicians
Read Psalm 57
The psalmist wrote, "I will sing and make music."
-Psalm 57:7 (NIV)
ONE morning after Daddy's funeral, when I was back home again, I found myself lost in sorrow during my prayer time, staring mutely at the wall. As I relived the events of the preceding week and the many acts of kindness shown to our family, I suddenly wished for a way besides a card to express my gratitude to my parents' pastor and a few extraordinarily helpful neighbors.
I decided to make personalized, handmade gifts for each of them. While working on the gifts the next several days, I found that instead of being lost in sorrow I was caught up in prayerful creativity. My mood improved dramatically, and by the time I took my offerings to the post office, I felt deeply comforted.
Now I recall this incident each time I read Psalm 57, written while its author was hiding in a cave, fearing for his life. David -- the shepherd, the warrior, the king -- was also a poet and a musician. Doubtless, his "song in the dark" provided peace and reassurance to him, and now it does the same for us. It also reminds us that we all possess some creative ability, in music or handicrafts, in homemaking or business, that we can consecrate to God and use for the good of others. When we employ these skills -- especially as we suffer through crisis and loss -- we may find ourselves surprisingly encouraged.
Deanna Overstreet (New Mexico, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to use our talents to bless others, even when we are hurting. Amen.
Thought for the Day
List three of your talents and skills. Beside each one, list a way to use that skill for others.
Prayer Focus
Musicians
There is little worse for the soul than to be moved to express your feelings only to have some dip-wick spit all over it.