Music to My Ears

I love music.  Now granted, I do not have a musical bone in my body, but I love music!  My music library goes beyond all lines and barriers.  I would dare to say that if you were to look through my ITunes you would find at least one song from every genre of music.  Seriously!  I am not stuck on one band, one style or one CD.  Depending on what kind of mood I wake up in depends on what type of music I listen to as I work.  For instance, earlier this weekend I woke up and saw something that reminded me of high school/early college, so I rocked the Matchbox Twenty that day.  Yesterday, I was in a chill, girl power mood, so I worked to Sheryl Crow.  Today, I’ve had to do a lot writing and studying, so I’ve been listening to a praise and worship mix.  All totally different, but all music to my ears.

Music to my ears… A little over two years ago that phrase took on a whole new meaning to me.  I, along with my best friend, ventured halfway around the world to spend Christmas in Africa working with and loving on orphans.  Towards the end of the trip we were able to do something INCREDIBLE.  We were able to travel through the Serengeti and see God’s amazing creation.  We headed into the park and we drove and drove and drove. It was awesome! We saw zebras, giraffe's, monkeys, an elephant and a whole slew of other animals. I was like a little kid going to the zoo for the first time. As I would see a new animal I would giggle, then shout out the name of the animal over and over again! It was incredible.

After a few hours of driving it began to rain so we wrapped up our adventure and headed to the lodge. We grabbed some dinner then headed to bed so we could get up and see the sun rise! The next morning we walked to the top of the lookout area just before sunrise and got our cameras ready. It was a little cloudy, but as the sun began to peek over the horizon and I stood speechless. (And for those who know me well, that's not a common occurrence!)  It was an amazing sight...It was like God was singing over His creation and welcoming us to His new day.  It was definitely music to my ears.

    We loaded up our stuff and headed out to see what animals we could find before heading back to town. Overall we saw 29 lions, 1 leopard, elephants and countless monkeys, zebras, and giraffes, just to name a few!  It definitely was an adventure. As incredible as it was tracking down the animals the most incredible moment of my day came at an unexpected time. We had just seen about 10 lions all over a rocky area and we had stopped to take a few pictures of the incredible view. My friend was snapping pictures right and left and I was peeking out over the top of the car soaking in the view. I decided to turn all the way around and capture the moment in my brain. In the brief 360 degrees I saw zebras, monkeys, a giraffe and a incredible view of the sun peeking through the clouds just above the horizon. It truly was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I couldn't help but stand in awe of my God and His beautiful creation. I simply stood and had a moment...

I heard all the animals making noise, the wind blowing through trees, His children laughing and enjoying His creation...I heard ALL of creation praising Him. What an incredible God I serve that all of creation worships Him. It was music to my ears...

 I think God receives pure joy from His creation (rocks included!) praising Him. Unfortunately, I can't help but think about what my life sounds like to Him. Is my life music to His ears? Do the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart "melt" Him? Am I doing things to further His Kingdom that makes Him smile? Do I, His creation, bring Joy to Him through my praises?

Sadly I often fall short of these things. As I reflect on things that bring music to my ears, I remembered a song I heard a few years ago. This has become my prayer...May it be music to His ears...

Let my life be like a love song

Let my life be like a love song

Let my life be like a love song

To Your heart 

Lord the love You give You give so generously

You were my sacrifice You gave Your life for me

And now I want to give just as I've received

To live a life that shines Your love for those in need

 Let my life be like a love song

Let my life be like a love song

Let my life be like a love song

To Your heart 

So let justice roll like an endless stream

Flowing through my life to the poor and weak

Let the things I do and words I speak

Reveal the awesome love You have shown to me

Let your life be music to His ears and like a love song to His heart...