Radically Happy

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Reversing corruption
• By revealing Christ

Immanuel Approach Memo

Continued from 3/6 IAM: Fortified

I am… losing the Song.

At first, it seemed like we were winning
The Song of the Redeemed was growing stronger
People were coming and joining us
They were excited
Happy
Enthusiastic

But…
Something was off

They were coming for the Song
Not the Singer

They were coming for the Song
Not the Singer

It had started out as the Song of our Hearts
People loved it
Then they tried to cage it
Write down the lyrics
Formalize the chords

I may have helped them
Even encouraged them

But it was never about the Song
It was about Jesus
And what He did in our hearts

I can see it happening again
The same divisiveness that destroyed the city
People fighting over which verse to sing
Or which key to sing it in

Because they are obsessed over the Song
Not the Singer

Then I realize
So am I

I look for Jesus.

He is standing
In the middle of our Song-circle
Silent
Not singing

At least
Not with any sounds I can hear

But His mouth is open
His lips are moving
His lungs are filled

He breathes
A great gust of wind pours out

He smiles
At least with His eyes

Silence slowly overtakes
Those of us who were first singing
Though angry chants
Linger in the distance

And in the silence
I hear something
Without using my ears

The Song of my Heart
Crying
From a distant Hill

I start to follow it
Others
Who were unsure if they heard anything
Gain confidence
And follow

Many in the crowd
Try to keep the Song going
But a few
Are watching us closely
And are curious
Or desperate
Or just barely hearing
Enough to follow us

We reach a locked iron gate
At the base of The Hill

Somehow Jesus has passed through
I can’t see Him
But I know He’s there

The Song of my Heart
Is much louder now
All those who followed us here
Can now hear it for themselves

It calls to us
Heartbreakingly joyful
Painfully beautiful
Gently demanding

We long to burst through the gate
To follow Jesus
To be caught up in His Song

But nobody has the Key

Or do we?

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Beauty
• Joy
• Togetherness
• Corruption / Redemption
• Division / Communion
• Despair / Hope
• Frustration
• Longing
• Anticipation

Scripture

like heat in a dry land. You subdue the uproar of foreigners. As the shade of a cloud cools the heat, so the song of the ruthless is silenced.
Isaiah 25:5