by Victoria Heinecke

Music – for praise and healing.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.“
Psalm 28:7 New International Version

Colorado Springs has a vibrant performing arts community, and I am grateful to be a member. Prior to the pandemic, one could attend concerts and plays throughout the year all over the city. There were so many performances that it was sometimes hard to choose, and my husband and I would say, “We’ll listen to that one another time.”

When Covid shut down our nation in mid-March, rehearsals and performances came to a screeching halt. Suddenly, there were no more “another times.”

For the past six months, concert halls, local venues and parks have been silent. Fearful of becoming a super-spreader site, musicians have resorted to rehearsing online, or in small groups well distanced. We have been trying to hone our art without spreading disease.

Slowly, a few of us are venturing out and performing to limited audiences, and my husband and I attended a live concert today. When those first notes were played, I could not contain a big smile that filled my mask. It has been so long since I’d heard live music that it was novel!

What made me smile the most was the bassoonist. The notes danced as he played them, and sometimes they sounded like laughter. I wondered if others were smiling behind their masks?

God gave us music. Throughout the Bible, one can find songs to sing and stories of people singing and dancing. Many of the Psalms were originally set to music, and composers still write tunes around God’s word. Music can help us memorize God’s word when we sing it.

Music can also comfort us during difficult times. Someday, when this crisis has past, we can regularly enjoy live music again.

Best of all, God never requires formal music training to sing. You only need your heart and a desire to praise the Lord.

“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:18b-19 New International Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado