Living in the Spirit
August 13, 2021
Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 5:15-20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therein lies the rub: understand[ing] what the will of the Lord is. We are admonished to be careful, be wise, and not get drunk on wine but be filled by the Spirit, sing and make melody, and give thanks. I am part of the Poor Peoples’ Campaign. The protocol of that movement is to wrap music, singing, and instrumental, around everything they do. That almost seems counter-intuitive. The problems the PPC tackle are some of the most challenging, sobering issues of our time–poverty, racism, lack of health care, the right to vote, mass incarceration, climate change. We can only do the will of the Lord when we step up to higher ground seeing the world from the perspective that God is in charge. The best way to do that is through music. That can immediately lift us to a higher plain.
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. *
Also,
My life flows on in endless song,
above earth’s lamentation.
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Refrain:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth,
how can I keep from singing?**
Prayer: Lord, guide our feet to higher ground and keep us singing. Amen.
*First verse and refrain of How Can I Keep from Singing by Johnson Oatman, Jr. See at, https://hymnary.org/text/im_pressing_on_the_upward_way
**First verse and refrain of How Can I Keep from singing? by Robert Lowry. See at https://hymnary.org/text/my_life_flows_on_in_endless_song
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.