Make a Joyful Noise

Ah!

It's time for me to blog again!

Super exciting!

Okay, well, first off, I went shopping today.

Holly pressured me into it!

Mom doesn't know I did.

....well now she does.

I only bought one dress though, because it was only $13.50!

It was such a bargain. It was so cute!

I also worked at the Pregnancy Center, ate lunch with Mimi, went tanning, and went to work out.

So, pretty much everyone knows about my intense obsession with Glee, and any song performed in that show.

So that brings me to my awesome point: MUSIC.

Music!

It is such an amazing thing.

I am pretty sure that music has got to be God's greatest gift to mankind.

...With the exception of Jesus, of course. It really doesn't even measure up to Him.

Okay,

The best parts of music:

When you get goosebumps from an amazing note, voice, or lyric.

When you realize a song summarizes EXACTLY who you are or how you're feeling.

When you sit in the audience of a musical (like Wicked), or something truly sensational and feel your entire life changing.

When you get to stand on a stage, whether you're completely alone or in front of a huge audience, and you get to completely sing your heart out.

Music is awesome.

Music is inspiring.

Music is personal.

Music is life-changing.

One time, I was at a youth service, and I remember talking about our callings and passions in life.

And someone asked if anyone knew what they were born to do.

I instantly raised my hand.

"Sing. I was born to sing."

Anyways, it has been about 4 or 5 years since then, and I still feel the same.

I have a huge passion for being a counselor and listening to people and trying to help, but there is nothing like the power of music - like the power of a great song.

Sometimes, I feel that's the best way to reach a person. Music.

Several people can testify to a song that reached them on some extreme personal level.

That being said,

Nothing ever compares to the feeling I get inside when I get to sing.

I get the same feeling no matter where I am - in my bedroom with a guitar, singing in church, performing in a play, or just getting to sing out a song on some type of stage.

The feeling is unlike any other.

I get an overwhelming sense of peace and satisfaction, knowing that this is my passion, my love, and God's gift to me.

So, basically, I know that music and singing is what I was put on this earth to do, whether it be singing with my mom and family in a small family room,

belting out show tunes on Broadway, singing in a praise band at church, or giving sold-out shows to thousands of fans.

I will always love to sing. I always will sing until I can't anymore.

"Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim His Salvation day after day."

1 Chronicles 16:23

Blessed

Blessed.

That is what I am.

But what does it really mean to be "blessed?"

It means:

"divinely or supremely favored; fortunate"

or

"blissfully happy or contented"

Wow.

I am blessed.

I am blessed to have the perfect love and admiration of a my wonderful Savior.

I am blessed to have an awesome family and some awesome friends.

I am blessed to be able to attend such an amazing college.

I could go on literally forever and ever.

Why me?

I come nowhere close to deserving anything at all.

The answer is completely beyond me.

But, surely it didn't just happen for no reason.

Luke 12:48

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (NIV)

So, the best I can do is give everything I own, and everything in me to my Savior.

But, what does that even mean?

Where do I start?

Proverbs 16:20

"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,

and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD."

I can start by completely trusting and relying on Christ and following His ways to the best of my ability.

Then what?

LOVE.

I wrote an entire blog about it before,

and I probably could again....because it is a truly sensational thing.

Ephesians 5:1-2

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Proverbs 21:21

"He who pursues righteousness and love find life, prosperity, and honor."

Mark 12:30

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

1 John 3:11

"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."

Luke 6:35

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

John 15:17

"This is my command: love each other."

1 John 3:14

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death."

Matthew 5:44

"But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

1 John 3:23

"And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us."

Romans 13:19

"The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Awesome, awesome, awesome!

In summary:

Ephesians 5:15-20

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

So, that is about all I have for now.

I hope you enjoyed this, and I apologize for it being beyond ridiculously long.

I used to sing a song in church a lot when I was younger.

"When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say,

'She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes - eyes that find the good in things,

when good is not around. Eyes that find the source of help, when help just can't be found.

Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain. Knowing what you're going through, and feeling it the same. Just like my Father's eyes.'"

Now that I look back and truly read those words, I realize how powerful and meaningful they really are.

And - I can honestly, completely, and sincerely say, that is what I want in my life.