The old saying has it that laughter is the best medicine, and we all know it’s true. Laughter is one of the greatest of all the gifts of God. It lifts us higher when we’re up and can relieve our pain when we’re down
But an equally potent life tonic is music. Sweet music.
The Bible contains a number of scenes in which the Bible characters break out in song or dance in celebration. One of the most joyous and sexy scenes in the Bible is found in Exodus 15, where the prophet Miriam (yes, the woman was a prophet) and the other women break out the tambourines for some song and dance.
Song and celebration thus became ingrained in the Hebrew faith, with all its attendant rituals and festivals and occasions for praise and glory to God.
Of course, the Hebrews invented blues music as well. A big chunk of those 150 Psalms, which were and are songs made to be sung, were bluesy laments. They aren’t all happy cowbell rock music.
Music is about as great a gift as anything God gave us. Even the Last Supper was topped off with Song.
Have you ever in your mind’s eye seen Jesus singing?
O happy day, when Jesus walked.
Of song & dance, Christ & cowbell (Yes, we need more cowbell)
October 30, 2009 by Rev. Paul McKay
