Have you ever just laid in bed and watched the lightning flash in the windows? As the late Winter rain poured down upon the roof just over our heads last night, the lightning flashed through the windows, edging into the darkness of our room along the sides of the pulled shades. First the lightning, then the rolling thunder. Ahhhhhhhhhh! What a delightful combination! I laid there watching and listening as long as my eyes would allow, timing the sound of the thunder after the flash of the lightning to track the approaching storm. Ten seconds, two miles. Five seconds, a mile. Two seconds, less than a quarter mile. I think the next one hit the parking lot next to our home . . . and the thunder rolled.
It reminds me of the Disney movie, "Fantasia", but rather than Mickey Mouse as the conductor of the orchestra I imagine God on the rostrum. God's baton is lifted and all creation waits in breathless silence, then on the first down stroke of the baton, the lightning flashes as the trumpets sound, and the booming bass drum rolls. The sky is lit from the charge emanating through the Conductor's baton, a light show swirling in measured array. The angels and archangels raise their voices as the cherubim and seraphim sing 'Holy, Holy, Holy!' The clouds swirl ever higher and tighter, forcing a deeper darkness upon the land whose only hope and relief is in the music of the light which flashes above and whose answer rumbles through the valley. Then the Conductor smiles as the flutes and piccolo's enter as cued, prompting the moonlight to filter through, first one ray, then two, then the night gives way to brilliant light as the storm is forced beyond the horizon by the sweetness of violin melodies cascading from above.
Maybe that is why I love to watch a band or orchestra perform. Whether presenting a concert on a stage or putting on a show on a field or marching on a street, I am led to think of God at work, even at play, directing all of the players through the interpretive expression of God's imaginative conducting. Lightning flashes as the cymbals crash and thunder rolls in the sound of stringed bass instruments growling their reply. All creation is God's composition and we are invited, not only to spectate, but to participate: to be awake when darkness would close our eyes; to listen when all else would turn away; to receive the gift when others have folded up their lawn chairs and left the sweetest candy on the road beside the curb, because they were either too lazy, or too preoccupied with whatever else there was to do, to even notice.
God gives the the most generous gifts in the simplicity and splendor of a late Winter's night thunderstorm. I don't know if you heard it, but I did and I am already looking forward to the next time the Conductor brings the symphony to town. Especially in these days of Holy Week, I do love the sound of God's music ringing out through the streets of our living.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Don
It reminds me of the Disney movie, "Fantasia", but rather than Mickey Mouse as the conductor of the orchestra I imagine God on the rostrum. God's baton is lifted and all creation waits in breathless silence, then on the first down stroke of the baton, the lightning flashes as the trumpets sound, and the booming bass drum rolls. The sky is lit from the charge emanating through the Conductor's baton, a light show swirling in measured array. The angels and archangels raise their voices as the cherubim and seraphim sing 'Holy, Holy, Holy!' The clouds swirl ever higher and tighter, forcing a deeper darkness upon the land whose only hope and relief is in the music of the light which flashes above and whose answer rumbles through the valley. Then the Conductor smiles as the flutes and piccolo's enter as cued, prompting the moonlight to filter through, first one ray, then two, then the night gives way to brilliant light as the storm is forced beyond the horizon by the sweetness of violin melodies cascading from above.
Maybe that is why I love to watch a band or orchestra perform. Whether presenting a concert on a stage or putting on a show on a field or marching on a street, I am led to think of God at work, even at play, directing all of the players through the interpretive expression of God's imaginative conducting. Lightning flashes as the cymbals crash and thunder rolls in the sound of stringed bass instruments growling their reply. All creation is God's composition and we are invited, not only to spectate, but to participate: to be awake when darkness would close our eyes; to listen when all else would turn away; to receive the gift when others have folded up their lawn chairs and left the sweetest candy on the road beside the curb, because they were either too lazy, or too preoccupied with whatever else there was to do, to even notice.
God gives the the most generous gifts in the simplicity and splendor of a late Winter's night thunderstorm. I don't know if you heard it, but I did and I am already looking forward to the next time the Conductor brings the symphony to town. Especially in these days of Holy Week, I do love the sound of God's music ringing out through the streets of our living.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Don
1 comment:
I live three miles south of Lebanon. On a calm night at 10:00 p.m., I can lie on the bed in my dark bedroom and listen to Taps (being played at Scott AFB) drift in through the window. It is so calming after a hectic day. It fills my soul with peace. Of course the other half of that is the open window and having the cool breeze drift over my body while listening to the night sounds of the frogs crooking and the katydids calling. God sure does have his own orchestra! I am so glad I live in the country and have learned to appreciate the simple things God does on earth.
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