Did you ever study music, or learn to read notes on an instrument? Of course, before you understood the equipment, you probably learned a little by following those musical notes on the scale.
All those lines, spaces, bubbles! Of course, you start adding to everything some form of notation to tell you about the purpose or sound of every note. Flat’s, sharps, speed, etc.
In fact, I spent a few minutes this morning reading about the Music Scale. It’s almost like a foreign language! I did not comprehend half of what the article said, and the other half was simply nonsensical!
But something caught my attention early this morning. Most of my focus is on the space between the lines. You probably know what I’m talking about but maybe you’ve never thought about it.
A distant relative, A.D. Gurley, penned a song some decades ago. I referenced it in an earlier blog post, “Moving From The Pause“
When you study it for any length of time you notice the language of music. There are 5 lines and 4 spaces on each Treble and Bass clef, and an opening between the two for the words. This song is played in 2 flats, 6/8 time, and some extra music notations that are part of the language of the music. Sharps. Pauses. Rests. Etcetera…
Unless you are a musical genius and can sit down to an instrument and begin playing, most of us simply notice the space between the lines. The words.
The Words Between The Lines
This is where most of us live. We are not a musical protege that can simply play both hands where the clefs denote the music. Nor do we comprehend the jargon of the language of music. But we do notice the words.
Words tell a story. If we agree with it, we can make the story our own.
Apply the musical score around them, and perhaps the melody will help us recite the story of the words better. It can definitely help us memorize and recite them far better than simply memorizing the words alone.
The musical score gives our words structure, boundaries, and help our words sore and dive, speed up, and slow down, looking for the place where they will make the best impression to the hearer.
If the musical score sets the tone and boundaries of our words, then I can easily say sometimes the sound drowns our words, muddles the meaning, and the hearer makes up what they think the words should say.
At least, I do. I’ve been around some songs that are so loud the words don’t stand a chance of making sense! Equally, some words need to be drowned out because they are discordant with my mind!
But the key today, and this is why I share:
The Words of your life are very important to you,
and to those that would hear you, so choose them carefully.
There is plenty of space!
Your Words
I love to read biographies, even when the story is dramatized to share events with emphasis on the part thought to be important. There are some great “historical fiction” that exist that tell the story as best as can be described by someone who knows the facts and has a vivid imagination. Put the story to music and you can almost feel the moment!
If you were to set your life to music and pen the words that would paint your story to the world, how would the recording sound to you? To others? What if your score was left behind to tell future generations what you thought was most important about your life and experience?
What do your words say about you?
Sometimes we do not get the entire picture of our lives until we reach the end. Then, looking over our shoulder, ruminating about the past, we find the storyline that ascends and descends. Much like the notes on a musical scale.
I mean, if George Washington (or any other person you could name) could have spent a few moments before his death and shared the meaning of his life, what would have been his high points, low points. What would he want to share that you could grasp the meaning of his life?
Apostle Paul
I’ve studied a lot of the Apostle Paul’s life. No doubt he was the most impactful ambassador of the Christian Message throughout history. His life was on track to be great in his religious world. He documents his foundation in my favorite epistle.
…If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
circumcised the eighth day,
of the stock of Israel,
of the tribe of Benjamin,
a Hebrew of the Hebrews;
concerning the law, a Pharisee;
concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(Philippians 3:4-6 NKJV)
Only, it’s not who he turned out to be! His past cannot be denied, but his future will be rewritten from his present. On that road to Damascus (Acts 9), Paul (Saul) comes face to face with his future. It’s in his hands to write the words of what his present experience will do to him. He can flee, like Jonah, or he can become, just like Peter!
We know he picks up the mantle and moves forward in life using the skills of his foundation and establishing churches everywhere he went.
Is Life Easy?
Paul faced many hurdles and challenges. His reputation preceded him. Fear struck the hearts of those he first began to reach out to. There was a time of proving himself first by his knowledge and training, and by his calling and mission. Please. Read this for yourself, but Paul tells the church of Galatia about his process. [Galatians 1:11-24]
Still. Paul faced many daunting challenges that nearly took his life. Many times! [2 Corinthians 11:23-33]
We could spend a lot of time studying the troubles Paul faced, but when he reaches the ending of his life, what is his recap? We know his words. They are famously quoted all the time.
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:6-8 NKJV)
I accept these words as his sentiment, but what else does he have to say? His last recorded words are:
The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
(2 Timothy 4:22 NKJV)
I challenge you to read the verses between his famous quote, and the last verse of his epistle to Timothy. [2 Timothy 4:9-21] They are full of instruction, warnings, and blessings. They are his last thoughts recorded. It’s what he felt to say what needed to be said.
Write Your Words In The Spaces Provided
Choose your favorite sounding musical score, and think your words carefully. There’s a lot of space to fill. Verses and chorus! Tell your chapters, sections, and summation. What do you want others to know about you? How will you write them out?
Sometimes our words will only record the highlights. Think about this. Before you can get to the high points you must take note of the low points! Why? It’s from there you find something better to aim for! If you don’t share the low points, how will the reader of your life understand the height of the high points?
Think about this! Sometimes our life story has no musical score that fits, so, write your own music!
You get to share what you want, and how you want it to be remembered! Your song will last only as long as others will sing it!
Now. Have a great day! Write some good stories. Share your lows and highs in such a way that gives the rest of us hope!