“Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.”
Psalm 96:1
We will soon launch a new year … and a new decade! What song will you be singing as 2020 dawns?
It grows tiresome – even irksome – to keep singing the same old songs of the world:
- Work hard
- Pedal faster
- Get ahead
- Get more
- Keep up
- Run
- Go, go, go
- Do, do, do
The world’s way – or at least the way of our 21st-century western society – seems to be all about outward actions to rationalize our earthly existence. Am I earning my carbon footprint?
We take pride and no small degree of self-satisfaction in our own achievements: we push our children to excel (this home school mama has been there, done that!), tally our hours committed to serving the less fortunate, and meticulously total our dollars given to save the whales, the children in Africa, the coral reef, the homeless veteran, the retired widow, the unwed mother … so many needs, so much pain, so much to do.
It’s simultaneously wearisome and relentless.
Is it our guilt in knowing “that could/should be me” that drives us to serve and give? Is it an unconscious desire to prove I’m okay (or even “I really am generous,” though at times all of us may suspect we are not)? But how much is enough? Do I give until I can sleep at night … only to get up and write another check?
When I focus on what I give to others, I’m really focusing on me. My song is about ME. And I’m probably expecting someone to pour something back into my “cup” as I pour out to them.
Perhaps, like me, you can think of a time you’ve been disappointed – or even angry or resentful – for receiving no thank you note or even verbal acknowledgment for your gift of time, talent, or treasure.
We like it when others sing our praises. We enjoy those awards for volunteer hours, the certificates of appreciation, and the thank-you cards or gifts.
But what if …
What if we did what we did purely to honor the One who made it all possible?
What if my motivation – my new song – was simply to use what I have been blessed to receive, to be a blessing to others?
Luke 12:48 says, “… For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required…”
When we begin with acknowledging it all came from Him and it is to be used for Him, a new song begins to stir. A new mindset starts to percolate. The lyrics of this new song focus on freedom, peace, and love. There is no more frenzy and mixed motives in my giving – the motivation is love. I am simply a conduit: He pours into me, and in freedom I pour out. I love because I am loved.
This new melody brings joy and contentment as I serve and give. My prompts come from the Holy Spirit. My Heavenly Father frees me from the frenzy to do and go and strive. Finally, I am enough … in Him, I am enough.
Peace.
Freedom.
Joy.
Love.
Are you ready to unite your voice with mine? Let’s sing to the Lord a new song in 2020!
Watch for the newest installment in our Write The Word series,
coming this Tuesday, January 31st!
