So! Now I know that at least one person reads this I shall try and make it vaguely interesting (I would say entertaining but I've never been much of a writer)
I have been listening to music recently. I like music it does lots of things for me, it can relax me (Chopin), entertain me (Colette McKendrick), get me (silently and in my head) rocking (Nickelback) but the thing I love most of all is that it can speak to me. I love it when certain words (or to be more technically correct I think "lyrics" is what they call it in the industry) have a meaning that sticks with me. Often it's very easy just to listen to the "bangin'" tune. Appreciate the riffs and musicianship but miss out on the words being said. Although sometimes the words are challenging to distinguish! (The comical mishearing of Hillsong United's "All I need is You" (On Look to You and With hearts as one) Where it says "You hold the universe, You hold every one on earth" However for a long time I thought it was "You are the universe, You are everyone on earth!" My scriptural knowledge isn't everything I wish it was but I'm sure that's not quite what it says!) Anyway! Recently I have been listening to a very specific song, namely that of "The Call" by Regina Spektor. It is the start of the credits in The Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian. The lyrics of it are fascinating.
"It started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope, which then turned into a quiet thought which then turned into a quiet word, and then that word grew louder and louder 'till it was a battle cry, I'll come back when you call me no need to say goodbye."
I've been mulling over "calling" recently, how some people have very distinct calls to certain things. It can look easy. I know many people that know exactly what they want to do (but more importantly are called to do) However I also know many people (and this seems to be a common theme among university students) who have no idea. Being a Christian changes this. But does not make it any easier! The one comfort (in this sense) of being a Christian is that God knows the plan for us. However it can throw up different questions. Instead of "What am I going to do with my life?" it changes to "What does God want me to do with my life, how can I find out?" Sometimes it is obvious, as with my father. He was praying in a chapel and saw 7 stain glass windows, one with each of the sacraments.
(Sacraments for those of you who don't know are "special" (not sure what word to use there) to Catholics and I think traditional Church of England. Please feel free to correct that! Anyway they are... 1. Baptism 2. Confirmation 3. Ordination 4. The Eucharist (communion) 5. Confession 6. Healing the Sick 7. Marriage)
Anyway he was praying and suddenly knew that he was suddenly called to being ordained.
However. He got this calling when he was 50ish(?!) For thirty years before that he was a very good accountant! So what does this mean. Does this mean he wasn't called until that moment, or his calling changed. I haven't yet worked this one out and I have every intention of asking him. I guess what I intend to take from this is that God can call you at any age. Just because you don't feel called the day you graduate doesn't mean God hasn't got an incredible plan for you! Look at Moses!! He was 40 when he left Egypt (Acts 7:23) and he was 80! when he was called to "have a wee chat with Pharaoh" (Exodus 7:7) It's never too late!
Anyway back to the lyrics of the song. I really like this picture of a call. It just starts out as a feeling inside, then turns into a hope that makes you smile, that turns into a quiet thought and thus a possibility, which turned into a quiet word, and that word grew louder, and louder, and louder. Till it was a battle cry (I LOVE that image!) A battle cry speaks of progress, moving forward and taking the bull by it's horns. Take that call and pursue it.
Calls come in lots of different way and at lots of different times. The key is to be ready. I liken it to Matthew 25:1-13 entitled "The parable of the ten virgins". Although the story is about waiting for the Kingdom of Heaven, I am going to apply it here in 5 simple words!I have been listening to music recently. I like music it does lots of things for me, it can relax me (Chopin), entertain me (Colette McKendrick), get me (silently and in my head) rocking (Nickelback) but the thing I love most of all is that it can speak to me. I love it when certain words (or to be more technically correct I think "lyrics" is what they call it in the industry) have a meaning that sticks with me. Often it's very easy just to listen to the "bangin'" tune. Appreciate the riffs and musicianship but miss out on the words being said. Although sometimes the words are challenging to distinguish! (The comical mishearing of Hillsong United's "All I need is You" (On Look to You and With hearts as one) Where it says "You hold the universe, You hold every one on earth" However for a long time I thought it was "You are the universe, You are everyone on earth!" My scriptural knowledge isn't everything I wish it was but I'm sure that's not quite what it says!) Anyway! Recently I have been listening to a very specific song, namely that of "The Call" by Regina Spektor. It is the start of the credits in The Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian. The lyrics of it are fascinating.
"It started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope, which then turned into a quiet thought which then turned into a quiet word, and then that word grew louder and louder 'till it was a battle cry, I'll come back when you call me no need to say goodbye."
I've been mulling over "calling" recently, how some people have very distinct calls to certain things. It can look easy. I know many people that know exactly what they want to do (but more importantly are called to do) However I also know many people (and this seems to be a common theme among university students) who have no idea. Being a Christian changes this. But does not make it any easier! The one comfort (in this sense) of being a Christian is that God knows the plan for us. However it can throw up different questions. Instead of "What am I going to do with my life?" it changes to "What does God want me to do with my life, how can I find out?" Sometimes it is obvious, as with my father. He was praying in a chapel and saw 7 stain glass windows, one with each of the sacraments.
(Sacraments for those of you who don't know are "special" (not sure what word to use there) to Catholics and I think traditional Church of England. Please feel free to correct that! Anyway they are... 1. Baptism 2. Confirmation 3. Ordination 4. The Eucharist (communion) 5. Confession 6. Healing the Sick 7. Marriage)
Anyway he was praying and suddenly knew that he was suddenly called to being ordained.
However. He got this calling when he was 50ish(?!) For thirty years before that he was a very good accountant! So what does this mean. Does this mean he wasn't called until that moment, or his calling changed. I haven't yet worked this one out and I have every intention of asking him. I guess what I intend to take from this is that God can call you at any age. Just because you don't feel called the day you graduate doesn't mean God hasn't got an incredible plan for you! Look at Moses!! He was 40 when he left Egypt (Acts 7:23) and he was 80! when he was called to "have a wee chat with Pharaoh" (Exodus 7:7) It's never too late!
Anyway back to the lyrics of the song. I really like this picture of a call. It just starts out as a feeling inside, then turns into a hope that makes you smile, that turns into a quiet thought and thus a possibility, which turned into a quiet word, and that word grew louder, and louder, and louder. Till it was a battle cry (I LOVE that image!) A battle cry speaks of progress, moving forward and taking the bull by it's horns. Take that call and pursue it.
You've Got To Be Ready
As the David Crowder band (but personally I prefer Ben Cantelon on Soul Survivor 2005 momentum CD) says.. "Turn your ear to Heaven". I can not stress enough how imperative it is to keep your eyes and ears on heaven. There's a whole sermon on this topic that I could happily give! I'm trying to work out where to stop but I can't yet! Almost though. There are many songs out there that explain what I'm trying to say. "Fix your eyes upon Jesus", "For the sake of the Call" (Steven Curtis Chapman - worth listening to!) "My Future Decided" (Hillsong United")
"My eyes on all of the above
My soul secure in all you've done
My minds made up
And you are the only one for me"
(Helps if you know what "all of the above" is! Is part of my Future Decided should you decide to look it up)
Right I'm losing steam now.
All I can say is that God has a plan for YOU. Even if you don't know it now he will reveal it just make sure you're chuffing listening! It may not be now but it will happen.
By the way, I don't know what my calling is yet. This has stressed me previously, but I know I can rest in God knowing he'll reveal it when he's ready. I just want to make sure I'm listening!
Here's a link to that original song I love so much. "The Call" - Regina Spektor
Phew.
Done for now.
Tell you something, I've been thinking the same things. That song is particularly special to me. Why haven't we had this conversation? We must meet up and dream.
ReplyDeleteA fan.