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The Grand Finale!
Monday, January 27, 2014
“God
has made us what we are.
He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works
that he
has prepared for us to do."
Ephesians
2:8-10 (GW)
The
following is excerpted from the Afterword of Unfinished: Believing is only the
Beginning. I hope you read it.
It’s the Grand Finale of the book, a great picture of the Great Calling
and Adventure to which each of us is called.
It’s followed by a wonderful video, but you need to read his compelling
lead up to it. I hope and do
believe that we as a church have been advanced in our service to the King,
Jesus, through Richard Stearns’ book.
Let’s finish strong by reading then watching an incredible picture of
the Kingdom of God.
Flash Mob
I
want to leave you with one final thought – a striking metaphor of sight and
song, a beautiful picture of what God is calling us to be and to do in our
world. A few days back my friend
Leighton Ford sent me a link to a remarkable video on YouTube.
Leighton promised me that it would bring me joy . . .and it did.
If you can, watch the video now or right after you have finished reading,
but please don’t miss it. (Please scan the image above to watch the video, or
go to the web address: “Son
Sabadell Flashmob” YouTube,
accessed September 20, 2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPND2QJg
. The flash mob video captured
something quite singular and compelling. On
May 19, 2012, the Valles Symphony Orchestra, the Lieder, Amics de l’Opera, and
Coral Belles Arts choirs transformed a city square in Sabadell, Spain.
I
believe God is calling us to sing and to play – sing and play his amazing song
of love, forgiveness, and transformation in every city square and in all the
nations of the world. He has
equipped each of us with instruments that only we can play, and he has given us
his voice. He bids us to go, to join
together and sing and play the good news of his salvation.
The
video begins when just one lone tuxedoed man appears in a busy city square and
quietly starts to pluck out the notes of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, better
known to many Christians as the majestic hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore
Thee.” At first no one notices.
Then some children step closer to watch the curious sight.
A few seconds later a woman playing cello walks up and joins him.
And the two of them play the song. Then
a bassoonist steps out of a nearby door, followed by two people with violins.
The music grows in strength and power.
A crowd begins to gather: children,
shoppers, business folk, a couple holding hands.
A young child climbs a lamppost to get a better look.
More musicians join, coming from different buildings and doorways around
the square – now twenty, then fifty, each with their own instrument, all
playing the same lyrical notes.
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee. Smiles,
laughter, cameras clicking, children hoisted up on shoulders, people pointing
and crowding closer; a throng of people have stopped to watch and listen, drawn
by the beauty of the music and oddness of the scene.
Then,
out of nowhere, the conductor comes into view, lifting his hands and directing
his players; all eyes are now on him. Still
more appear: clarinets, oboes,
flutes, and piccolos – trumpets, trombones, French horns, and drums –
seventy, now one hundred. People
stop, cafes empty, and offices are abandoned.
The audience swells – men and women, old and young, clusters of
children, mothers with strollers, loungers, and lovers.
There is something magical about all of this.
And then, just when it seems that the orchestra is complete, a mighty
choir steps out of the crowd, surrounds the musicians, and lifts up the heavenly
lyrics with soaring voices.
Joyful,
joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Children
start to dance. The hundreds of
onlookers can no longer resist. They,
too, begin to mouth the words, sing the chorus, and lift their hands to the
music. The remarkable ensemble of
talented musicians plays on, increasing the tempo, filling the city square with
their sounds until, finally, the music comes to its magnificent crescendo, and
the crowd erupts with praise and applause.
What
beauty! What grace!
How extraordinary. What a
picture for the church of Jesus Christ. Bring
your instruments, lift your voices, and join the King’s great symphony of
love. The world is watching and
listening, longing to hear a new song, a different song, a song of hope.
Melt
the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
This
same song first began long ago in Bethlehem, when just one angel sang:
“Do
not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people.
Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the
Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
More
angels joined this chorus, then more and still more – “a great company of
the heavenly host . . . praising
God” (Luke 2:13) and singing the
chorus of God’s good news:
“Glory
to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to
those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke
2:14)
Now
the King invites you. Come, drop
what you’re doing, pick up your instruments, and come – into the cities and
into the streets. Join the great
chorus. The King calls his children,
sending them into the world to play and sing.
Life up your voices and join in the great mission of the King.
Mortals,
join the happy chorus,
which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife<
Joyful music leads us Sunward,
In the triumph song of life.
He
called you out of darkness
and called you into light.
He filled you with his Spirit,
put his song upon your heart.
He asked you to his banquet
and now . . . .
He bids you sing.
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