Rhythms of the Heart | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Rhythms of the Heart | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene Bonney
08/22/18
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Time was slipping onto the horizon, like an opening stage curtain turned sideways. Dew-dropped blades of grass were answering nature’s call to shed their raincoats and bask in the rays of the Light. The older-than-time concert had begun and I added my voice to the choir, along with several friends who had recently joined our musicale.

“Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing. . .” sprinkled across the outdoor arena as the blending of sopranos, tenors, altos and basses lifted their voices under the great cathedral’s wings. The longer we sang, more and more joined us—until the very rafters rang with echoes of the music’s strains. It was loud, it was quiet. It was a jazz festival, it was a Brahms’ lullaby. It was a concert festival, it was a solo recital. It was a symphony we would never grow weary of performing, for it became what each individual’s ears deemed as perfection. There were no discussions about whether we should sing contemporary pieces or traditional, choruses or hymns, short or long pieces. To each one’s preference, every voice was unified in perfect harmony in praise to the King.

The choir had sung to Him for over ten thousand years and still composed different tunes and lyrics in this New World that surpassed choices in the old world’s music selections. The Most High smiled His blessing upon us, a tender kiss on each choir member’s heart. Colorful butterflies of every species sailed gracefully in our midst, as poignant as a field of dainty roadside wildflowers. Occasionally, they would accompany us, their wings clapping together as feather-like cymbals of praise. Angels young and old graced our renderings, their wings like multifaceted white pearls gleaming under a microscope, accompanied by crowned saints of old, their voices pouring over ours as a prophet’s anointing balm. All in all, we were a righteous congregation singing hallelujahs with instruments of rhythm unmatched in our previous lives.

Sometimes David led the choir and other times, Gabriel took over while our voices joined in the praise-fest. There were sections of exuberants partnered with Peter, who swayed and clapped along with the beat. Other tiers contained bowed-headed hummers with gentle smiles and closed eyes, like Mary Magdalene. Rich and mellow tones came from the innermost circle composed of interchangeable lead singers, like Matthew and Luke, taking the center-most position. Those who heretofore had been unable to ‘carry a tune in a bucket’ where now awarded the Miraculous Melodies section where perfect diction and superior talent was noted. There was no animosity or vying for favored positions because each served the other in gracious humility, only striving to please Him, the Great I Am.

Sporadically, we all scattered like dandelion dust, to other activities that were created just for our pleasure, our hearts storing up new notes to add to the next choral performance. Eternal springs similar to weak renditions of fabled Fountains of Youth dotted the atmosphere, symbolizing quenched thirsts even as banquets of all manner of delicious foods were prepared to sup with Jesus in this, His Kingdom. We never grew tired, never lacked any good thing, enjoying His gifts like a child on Christmas morning. But this celebration would not end, any more than our psalms of praise and joy. Our songs reverberated from one corner of heaven to the other, like ping-pong balls going back and forth between players.

Time as we had known it was no more, so our undistracted joy and praise held our attention as we lifted our voices, the ultimate way of bringing our hearts, souls, minds and strengths to focus only on Him, our eternal flame of hope, light and redemption. Like peas in a pod, joy and singing went hand-in-hand and was welcomed all through the vast New World, permeating the air like a lady’s favorite perfume.

Worship services were rampant and filled with adoration songs as we loved God and loved each other, and I sang as never before, reflecting my redeemed and thankful heart’s joy. And, although there was regret for those who were not present with us—those who had chosen the wrong paths on earth—Satan was finally defeated and no evil could penetrate Heaven’s portals. Because we were now safe in the arms of Jesus, rocked to sleep by his soothing lullabies of peace and joy.

_______________________________________

James 5:13: “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”

Psalm 71:23: "My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises to you--I whom you have delivered."

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.