Inner Melody

By: M. Charlotte Oliver

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

(Ephesians 5: 19, 20)

Last week, a colleague sent me a  significant consultancy opportunity. It came across my telephone in her text at 9:30 pm one night. This time, 9:30 pm, is when I am quickly moving toward slumber. I decided to check my telephone at this moment since my daughter was experiencing an emotional week. I wanted to make sure she did not send me a text about her feelings and asking how to move from them. Instead, I received a note saying, “I know it’s late, but I thought you might want to look at this.”

I did, and the opportunity seemed terrific. It offers an excellent compensation structure at a significant organization in Centennial, Colorado. I qualified for most of the requirements, except one. Although I now have the highest earthly educational degree, this one requirement would mean that I would have to go back to school and obtain a certificate in this field. Of course, right then, I spent another hour searching for certification programs in this field. I saw several, looked at the timeframe to complete them, and then went to sleep. I awoke the following day saying to myself, although I do not have a degree or certificate in this field, I will send a proposal to the organization anyway. 

In the chosen verse above, the Apostle Paul speaks of expressing oneself in gratitude to God. Here he mentions the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, speaking about those who wrote them. Through Paul, some areas of Ephesians refer to the other apostles of this Biblical time. He validates a few of their inscribed expressions. The apostles speak of personal journeys and challenges experienced on these journeys. They speak of Christ’s truth.

In representations of inner spiritual melody, giving thanks, I believe, should always take precedence. For it is in giving thanks the extremely crucial concept of sin is apparent. Thanking Christ for what He did, is comparable to thanking God. And in thanking others, we thank Christ. This act is an inner-melody Paul refers to.

The beautiful presence of Christ in our hearts remains. It remains even when times are confusing, challenging, doubting, and regretting. In Galatians 4:19, Paul says, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” With Christ in us, self-confidence prevails, and doubts are gently removed. Needs and desires are not so confusing. In addition, challenges and those who challenge are offered up in prayers. And regrets are replaced with fulfillment. Although life moments may sometimes bring us back to the behaviors and beliefs of children, it is in acknowledging Christ in us, we grasp on to the maturity of who He is within us.

Heart-melodies are presented in prayers, in glorious satisfaction of current achievements, in daily thankfulness, in repentance, in God’s words used in the proper context, and expressed in inner and outer songs. Songs of loud praise and of sweet and soft surrender. As we make melodies in our hearts. These melodies to the Lord. 

In dedicated time this week, I prepare and offer my proposal to the organization in Centennial, Colorado. I begin with no confusion on what this work will entail. The requirements of this opportunity do not challenge me. My doubts fade. All represented attempts to eradicate forthcoming or developed long-standing regrets.

My anchored practice is in faith, evaluation, and transparency. The importance of framing these processes and reminding myself of them each day are the sails of my vessel, which lead me to God’s many opportunities. Opportunities of His mercy. As I aim to transform the working style of others, I, in turn, continue to do the same in me.

My inner workings, my inner melodies. I become new in God’s words (2nd Peter 1:4). I become new in Jesus (Galatians 2:20). I become new with lessons taught to me by Spirit (Romans 8:16-18). 

May you join me in doing the same. Let’s continue to sing our songs to Heavenly Father, in whatever forms they may be.