2-27-17<\/p>\n
There was a wise saying that was popular in the time of the Jesus generation, the Born-Again movement, and I am a great believer in it, as in most every example of bumper-strip theology. \u201cGod gave us two ears and one mouth! Try listening!\u201d<\/p>\n
A wise aphorism. A life lesson. Indeed, a rule to live by. I stink at math, but I understand the irresistible logic of this saying. Two ears, one mouth.<\/p>\n
A friend recently employed a variation of this. Whether it is an old saying I never heard before (very possible) or new to this clever friend, its logic is also irresistible and powerful.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod gave us all two hands, two eyes, two ears\u2026 but one heart. That makes it our job to find that other heart, to complete the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n
That can have poetic and romantic, even mystical, applications, but also spiritual relevance. Just as the actor-comedian-author Orson Bean, a late convert to Christ (and, incidentally, Andrew Breitbart\u2019s father-in-law) said, \u201cWe were all born with a virtual hole in our middles, in our hearts, by God\u2019s design, because the Holy Spirit was sent to fill it.\u201d <\/p>\n
And nothing other than God\u2019s love can soothe our hearts; nobody other than Jesus can save our hearts; nothing else than the Holy Ghost can fill our hearts.<\/p>\n
In this world, we are ultimately lonely people in a lonely place. It does not have to be so, but often it is. Finding love is rather a rare thing. Facebook unintentionally teaches that we can have a lot of \u201cLikes\u201d and \u201cFriends,\u201d but there is no category of \u201cLoves\u201d in its galleries. On dating sites, profiles ask \u201cWho I seek,\u201d but not \u201cWho I need.\u201d<\/p>\n
I realize that every person, especially the emotionally needy and vulnerable, would be reluctant to expose their neediness.<\/p>\n
On the other hand \u2013 and to continue the spiritual aspect of these common but seldom-discussed truths \u2013 we humans are different in uncountable, sometimes radical ways. Different sexes, different colors, different talents, different sizes, different values and attitudes\u2026<\/p>\n
But there is one common element. We share one thing, whatever other things are different —<\/p>\n
We all need a Savior. We all are sinners. Each of us\u2026 has one heart. And like the poetic, romantic, mystical imperatives to which my friend referred, our spiritual hearts are lonely too. Even pagan savages look to heaven; inchoately desiring something greater in life; and \u2013 as do the most \u201ccivilized\u201d amongst us \u2013 instinctively know that a greater power exists.<\/p>\n
Paganism does not stop there. And how sad that there are so many superstitious and secular and paganistic people with whom we interact every day. Not in far-off jungles, but our neighbors, in this land of many churches. <\/p>\n
But that \u201cgreater power\u201d does not have to be a mystery, as many people make it. He is Almighty God, Creator of the universe and lover of our souls. He revealed Himself, becoming flesh and dwelling amongst us. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He said that it was better that He leave, because One would follow who would be the Comforter; and that greater things we will do when the Spirit comes.<\/p>\n
Into our hearts.<\/p>\n
In that way, we find that \u201csecond\u201d heart; our hearts are joined as one with the Lord\u2019s. In the same manner as the promise that whenever two or more are gathered in His name He will be in our midst, that union of our lonely hearts with His perfect heart\u2026 makes us complete.<\/p>\n
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Back when I was Director of Product Development at Youth Specialties, I conceived a project wherein some performers at our Youth Workers Conventions could work on two print and video projects for us. One would be for them to write new music, or least new performance versions, of classic hymns and gospel songs. The other would be to devise lessons and demonstrations for worship leaders and church music directors. <\/p>\n
Too often, contemporary worship leaders would sing random songs, randomly repeating lines, aimlessly segueing to other music. Sometimes this was blamed on \u201cHoly Spirit leading\u201d but mostly it was lack of discipline\u2026 spiritual discipline. Chris Tomlin was great at intentionally building ascending keys and tempos, knowing when to pause for prayer, and be sensitive to worshipers’ reactions, and so forth.<\/p>\n
For various reasons that never happened while I was at YS. Some singers and bands subsequently have done these things in published formats and in seminars. I am not claiming to have planted any seeds, at all, but I am grateful for the discussions I had with Chris, with David Crowder, and with Paul Baloche.<\/p>\n
Paul is truly gifted as a composer, writer, musician, and worship leader. His ability to communicate his inspirations is impressive. Maybe his most beloved worship song is \u201cOpen the Eyes of My Heart, Lord.\u201d Listen in the context of today\u2019s essay. <\/p>\n