Music: Comfort and Inspiration During Isolation

After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives
                                                                 - Matthew 26: 30.

Today, we celebrate the Risen Christ.  But on that first Resurrection Sunday, Jesus’ disciples were still feeling the same confusion and fear they had experienced on that terrible Thursday night when He was taken from them.  On that night, in the “upper room” their anxieties and fears must have been calmed at least somewhat when they joined with Jesus in singing a hymn together before they all “went out” to the Garden of Eden (Matthew 26: 30).

Although we celebrate the Risen Christ today, much uncertainty and fear still hovers over us and people around the world as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten our lives and way of life.  But once again in the midst of sadness and confusion, music can lift our souls. 

Recently, Stelios Kerasidis, a 7-year-old Greek musical prodigy applied his gift of music to relieve the anxiety from social distancing during the pandemic.  Please take a moment to enjoy his “Isolation Waltz.”

Far beyond its entertaining value, there is something about music that brings a calming, soothing effect to our souls.  It is interesting to imagine how we might have felt if we had been there with the men or women who broke bread, drank from the cup, and then sang with Jesus in that “upper room.” I wonder if Jesus sang along with His disciples.  How did His voice sound? 

As you imagine Jesus singing, we ought to realize that Jesus is the Divine Creator of the physical vibrations of sound and music.  In fact, do you realize that Jesus was present and working in the creation, likely singing along with the angels as an expression of His joy over His work?  In what may be the oldest book of the Bible, God speaks to Job with these words:

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
     Tell Me, if you have understanding,
Who set its measurements?  Since you know.
     Or who stretched the line on it?
On what were its bases sunk?
     Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together
     And all the angels shouted for joy?  - Job 38: 4-7

Even more amazing and assuring in times of trouble is the fact that God is a “Mighty Warrior” to protect His own from the enemy; and, He rejoices over His own with singing.  Zephaniah writes (3: 17),

The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.

Likely, Jesus did sing with His disciples on that dark night as He anticipated His suffering and death.  How would it have been to experience those final hours Jesus spent with His disciples?
What expression was on His face?   Was it assuring to the disciples even though His heart was heavy?  Which if any of the psalms recorded in our Bibles might they have sung?  (Note that Psalms 113-118 were traditionally sung by the Jews during Passover.)  If they chose Psalm 118, who among them chose it?  Especially Psalm 118: 24 is meaningful for us to consider in light of why Jesus came and what He would be facing in the hours ahead: 

This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

As we awaken each day, Psalm 118: 24 is a great verse of acknowledgement that God is giving us another day to live.  Even in the midst of pandemic, music from the Scriptures or from inspired writers and composers can lift our souls and give assurance of our faith in the Everlasting God.

Finally, an important part of God’s plan for His beloved human creatures is that we unite with others in a community of worshipers—i.e. disciples (willing learners and followers of Christ), mutual encouragers, and witnesses of God’s Gift of salvation.  Inviting the Word of God into our lives daily and making music together continues to be an integral part of the worship and service of dedicated Christ-followers.  Colossians 3: 16 instructs us (emphasis mine):

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

What Do You Think?
Musicians among readers of this article are welcome to add insights from your understanding of music as God’s creation and gift.  Or, maybe one of you is inspired to imagine and express how you would have felt during the Last Supper with Jesus.  Just use the “Comment” link to add your thoughts.

I Hope You Will Take Time to meditate on the significance of this Easter Season, especially in light of the pandemic that is upon us.  If you feel anxious, you will find that the music and lyrics of great hymns and Gospel-based contemporary music will comfort your soul.   Maybe you will find comfort and blessing from a couple of my favorites for this Easter as follows:

Your Grace Finds Me by Matt Redman
Behold The Lamb (Communion Hymn) - Keith & Kristyn Getty
Power of the Cross - Keith & Kristyn Getty
Is He Worthy? – Chris Tomlin

The Psalms are a key part of the music and worship of Jewish people, and of the Christian faith that God has established through Jesus Christ.  Today, many are finding peace and assurance in the psalms.  I have found comfort and encouragement lately from Psalm 61-63, 73, 91, 139, and 130.

If you do not have a personal relationship with the God who created the universe, including music itself, you can come to “know Him” personally through repentance and faith in Jesus.   Acting by faith to surrender your life to Jesus as your Savior and Lord is necessary to find true peace.   See Steps to Peace with God."  Or, you may contact me at silviusj@cedarville.edu.

I Humbly Dedicate this article to four friends and former colleagues at Cedarville University whose lives and music have been a blessing to Abby and I for many years:  
Lyle Anderson, Senior Professor of Music
Chuck Clevenger, Senior Professor Emeritus of Music
Michael P. DiCuirci, Senior Professor Emeritus of Music
Mark Spenser, Associate Professor of Music

Earth Stewardship and Human Aging

My transition from full time employment to what I am calling a redirection has allowed me some time to consider how God might use me in this new chapter of life.  I have already blogged on this subject, in 2011 and 2012.  Just search Oikononia using the keyword, redirection.

In the past two years, health matters in our family have been front and center.  Abby and I have made frequent visits to the Golden Age Retreat in Carrollton, OH where Marietta Moser, Abby’s mother (and thankfully, mine by marriage) is a resident.  During our visits with “Mom,” we have met other residents who have entered this dependent stage of their lives.  Most have severe limitations in mobility, continence, mental alertness, and communication.  Yet, each of them can express traits of their personality that shine through their worn, wrinkled faces and stooped postures, reflecting who they were in their younger days. 

Until her debilitating stroke in 2011, “Mom” had resided in a small home in Kilgore, Ohio where she and her husband, Don, had lived since the late 1940’s.  During those years, she was committed to the task of raising seven daughters and pointing them to faith in God through her words and actions.  “Mom” always lovingly served family and friends who came into her home.   She also provided a godly example to her husband for 33 years of their marriage, and he finally found peace with God through faith in Christ during the final months of his life.  Since “Dad’s” death in 1980, “Mom” has lived another 33 years as a widow.  Now, confined to wheelchair and short ventures with a walker, her heart still pours forth kindness and generosity toward fellow residents, and to her family and friends who visit.  Though sadness and loneliness must creep over her at times like darkening shadows, her face brightens upon our arrival, and her smile is still beautiful when we speak of fond memories of days gone by.

Our fast-paced, “get it now” culture tends to devalue older adults who speak with difficulty, move slowly, and spill their food and drink.  Yet, I’m learning that it can be a blessing to become acquainted with the elder folks at Golden Age.  Taking time to greet them with at least a smile, and where possible with words, often brings a smile and greeting in return.  Wrinkles, blemishes, and soiled bibs sometimes create a dreary atmosphere, but brightened faces shine forth amid any apparent dreariness like the faces in Rembrandt’s paintings.  Instead of wondering about who they once were, I’m inspired by who they are.

Having reflected on the joy that still radiates from Marietta Moser and others who reside at Golden Age, I wonder “how then, I should be living” so as not to have a dismal, joyless existence if I should be allowed to enter into this period of dependency in life.  Such pondering brings me to yet another facet of that important concept of stewardship.  Biblical stewardship reminds us that God is Owner and Master, and we are His servant stewards to whom He has entrusted all that we have.  If this is true, then the Apostle Paul’s questions apply to any stage of our lives:

For who regards you as superior?
What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it? – 2 Corinthians 4: 8

Stewardship means that we view our responsibility as managers of time, talents, and treasures at every stage of our lives.  As children our parents taught us elementary lessons of stewardship when they encouraged us to share “our toys” with other children or return toys to the toy box or shelf when we were finished.   It follows that stewardship that is nurtured and applied by God’s grace and truth can keep us on a trajectory that is appropriate for every stage of life.  After all, the lessons of the playroom or pre-school also apply to the workplace and profession of adulthood.  All that differs is the kind of “toys” we choose to accumulate, how many “toys”, and how we choose to share them.

A stewardship mindset applied to human health itself explains how older adults can still have joy when they become dependent on others for nearly everything.  While there are genetic factors and events beyond our control as we age, with God’s help it is within our stewardship responsibility to thank Him each day for our health and for the food, shelter, and support system upon which we are very dependent.  Again, the Apostle Paul, writing to young Timothy, gives helpful instruction to us (1 Timothy 6: 7-11):

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Happiness is not about accumulating wealth any more than spirituality is about living a monastic existence.  Abraham and Job show us how men of great wealth can also walk closely to God and be a blessing to man.  But Jesus taught us that …from everyone who has been given much, much will be required…(Luke 12: 48).  The one who holds his or her “toys” and other possessions loosely and generosity during their “active years” will more likely be inclined to release  them peaceably and even thoughtfully when it’s time to enter a state of dependent living.

Chuck Dolph, senior professor of psychology at Cedarville University, supports the notion that aging need not be the dreaded part of life.   Rather, for the Christian, aging is a valuable season with meaning and purpose along life’s path to a glorious eternity with God.  In his article, “Thank God for Aging” (Torch magazine, Spring-Summer, 2007), Chuck beautifully expresses how aging can help us apply the truth of Psalm 90 which reminds us of the finiteness of our lives on Earth; and therefore, the need to number our days, That we may present to You [God] a heart of wisdom (v. 12).  He writes:

We must not forget that there is always meaning and purpose, even in aging and illness.  Aging strips us.  If we live long enough, we will lose our beauty, our strength, our wealth, our independence, the control of our bodily functions, our pride, and perhaps our very self.  These are our idols, all the things that we trust in life to make us attractive, valuable, and self-sufficient.

If our aging is successful, we will end our lives striped of everything but God, totally naked and helpless, utterly dependent on Him and the love of others.  Everything that we trusted in life for our worth will have been stripped away.  

Dr. Dolph concludes, What a blessing to finally find our right relationship to God!  Thank God for aging. 

For the Christian steward, the reality of aging can be a North Star of sorts to which he or she can chart a trajectory during the “younger years.”   This trajectory is based on an awareness that all we have belongs to God, and part of our stewardship can be a Spirit-led, creative adventure of discovering how to use our time, talents, and treasures in accordance with each stage of life.  

Returning to the Golden Age Retreat, in Carrollton, OH, I am reminded of one of the residents whose name is “George” (not his real name).  George ambles slowly with the help of a walker on wheels.  He speaks slowly and explains that his hands are affected by arthritis.  But his smile brightens when I ask him to play some tunes with his harmonica.    See YouTube Video.

As I conclude this article, I thank God for both Marietta Moser and my friend, George.  Both of them are teaching me how to set a trajectory on my path toward eternity; one that holds loosely and manages wisely what God has entrusted to me.  Folks like Marietta and George have little left to manage, but what they do have brings praise to their Creator.  The sweet musical notes from George’s harmonica bless all who hear them there on the porch of Golden Age Retreat before they float out across the quiet countryside and off into the heavens above.

Putting Down New Roots

A fitting expression for people moving and settling into a new location is “putting down roots.”  Since our move to Wooster in October, this expression has a special meaning to Abby and I.  Let me explain how we have literally “put down roots” of a special tree that was given to us as a parting gift when I retired from Cedarville University last year.

Near the end of Spring Semester, 2011, when we were planning to sell our home during the summer and move to Wooster, OH, the campus environmental stewardship organization, Pro Terra Forma, gave us a little potted Pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba).  What a fitting gift from beloved students who were conscious of the value of trees which serve both mankind and creation as air purifiers, air conditioners, sound blockers, sound-makers (wind in the branches and musical instruments), providers of habitat, housing, and food; and are a source of aesthetic beauty in the landscape.

Because we had hoped to move within a couple of months, we nestled the potted Pawpaw in a pile of old potting soil in a partially shaded environment preferred by this understory plant species.   Little did we know that this “temporary” location would become home to the Pawpaw for the whole summer, fall, and winter as God seemed to be answering our patient prayers with a message of “slow down and wait for My timing.”

As the chill of Autumn days came on in 2011, we felt the chilling of the housing market and were resigned to the fact that we would be living in Cedarville Township for the winter.  Little Pawpaw dropped her leaves and I added some extra mulch to protect it for the cold of winter.

With the warming of Spring, the prospects for the sale of our home warmed, and by July, we were thankful to have contracts for the sale of our home as well as a contract to purchase a home in Wooster.  When moving days came in early October, we did not forget our tree friend who had grown a few new limbs.  We enjoyed a “moving ceremony” assisted by Tim Clark, the new owner of our home.  Together, we potted up Pawpaw for its ride to Wooster.

After a tending to a long list of “moving responsibilities” (Maybe you can relate?), we transplanted Pawpaw from the plant pot to the Wooster soil of our back yard at 1041 Curtwood Drive.  We again remembered with thanksgiving the students who gave us the gift.  We also reflected on our loving God Whose timing was perfect to allow us more time to fully adjust to the idea of leaving our Cedarville spiritual family and friends.

We hope that Pawpaw’s roots will grow and prosper so the tree can add its many “tree benefits” to our landscape on in the years to come while we nurture it, and then beyond.  Likewise, Abby and I hope that we will be good stewards of God’s provisions to us now that we are here so that we can enhance the Wooster community and those with whom He brings us into contact.

Thanks to so many of you for your friendship and prayers.  If you are in the area, please let us know so you can stop in and see where we are “putting down roots” for this new chapter of our lives.