Belmont Songwriters Guild

by karen peterson - thanks! rs

Jesus joined us last night. So much diversity of expression. It was the Songwriter’s Guild and many people shared their new songs vulnerably with the group.

There was Mary*, who tearfully told how crisis had brought her to a critical moment of faith. She trusted us with a gem from her life story. It was precious, costly, and close to her heart. Jesus came near enough to touch her. He reached in and held her heart safe, because He knew how tender it was. His eyes sparkled with delight, because her love for Him was so pure and untainted.

A Chief Musician among us had a new song bursting to find expression. His demeanor was poised, joyful and confident. Unlike Mary, he’d done this thousands of times before and had no trepidation. The crowd entered in, clapped, shouted and stomped. Where was Jesus? You probably guessed. Yep, He was clapping, stomping and “Amening” too. His son had prepared a banquet – would He not savor each delicious bite?

With hesitation, Amy* rose. She’s giftedly led worship many times, but I detected a fear of rejection. How could she fear it? But Jesus didn’t miss a beat. He, strangely, didn’t come near her, like He did with Mary. Instead, He looked into her beautifully crafted face and, speaking to one of the angels, said “Did I not outdo myself with this one? Is she not one of My choice daughters?” You’d have thought she heard it. None of us did. Her face began to radiate. It was as if she’d stepped past the veil. She was drawing near to Him, inviting us to do the same. I thought I heard Him say “You are altogether lovely, my darling. You have dove’s eyes.”

Who could forget the “Rhino” brother? He made us laugh with the robust narrative of his journey from living like a full-bore, certified horn-in-the-head rhinoceros, to learning how to live the “easy yoked way.” Jesus smiled, as if looking upon a dear child. “I remember that,” He said. No shred of judgment, not a wrinkle of disdain. “Rhino” began his song. Jesus’ heart was on tiptoe for something. What was it? With an “I have something for you” twinkle in His eye, Jesus drew in a long breath. As if on cue, Rhino’s singing of the first words of the refrain, and Jesus’ exhaled breath, collided. Jesus was breathing on the words of the song – His Words which had been penned by inspiration of the Holy Spirit thousands of years ago. It seemed Rhino disappeared and Jesus’ words, not the “horned man’s strength” filled our hearts like sails fill with summer breezes, and we were carried along.

There was a quiet woman whom we had to strain to hear. She had never sung in front of a group this large. She shared how the Lord generally gives her a melody and how He then gives her the words. The song was beautiful. But where was Jesus? I couldn’t see Him anywhere. It seemed odd to me that He wouldn’t be present to hear His own inspired song! I had to seek to find Him. There He was. Christ in her, the hope of glory. It was no longer she, but Christ living in her.

And so it went, all night long – Jesus present with and in each person, sometimes tender, sometimes twinkling an eye, sometimes like a Proud Poppa, sometimes breathing or laughing, healing a wounded place, refreshing, reposing, or singing along. Once I saw Him not appearing to pay so much attention to “song” as to our collective humility of spirit, deferring to and honoring and loving one another. This seemed to be a multiplied joy to His great heart.

There was more, but I suppose all the books in the world could not contain all He was doing among us – because I only see in part and there is so much I do not see.

What I did behold, and what still amazes me, is how He met each person where they were, tended to the cry of their heart, celebrated their joys and grieved with their losses. He watched with approval when they needed Attention. He came close to be a shield when a person felt threatened by disapproval. He even allowed His facial expressions to be seen through a man who listened to the music as if he were being transported into the heavenlies. To each person, Jesus had something to give, and something of Himself to give others.

Lord, will You continue to visit with us, lead us, guide us, unify us, blending our gifts into a varicolored, holy mosaic of Your love, grace, mercy, kindness and truth, as we continue to write and sing for You!

-karen peterson

*names were changed for anonymity