Together, We Sing a New Song....
- A Heart Refined with Rachel Menard
- Jan 7, 2024
- 3 min read
Recently, I had the privilege of standing with friends supporting our brother and sister, Stu and Kara, as they recommitted their hearts and home to Christ, one another, and the Church. It was a wonderful little country Church service preceded by a worship service. The worship leader sang a mixture of wonderful old and special new songs, but when he started singing one in particular, it threw me off...
Honestly, the song "Truth Be Told" has not always been one of my favorites. For some reason, in years past, the lyrics bothered me. Maybe because I've been cynical... perhaps because I've had guards up...maybe because I have trust issues...maybe it wasn't "spiritual" enough. Who knows what my scattered mind has been thinking? However, this time, the words hit my heart differently...
"I say, "I'm fine, yeah, I'm fine, oh, I'm fine, hey, I'm fine," But I'm not, I'm broken
And when it's out of control, I say it's under control, But it's not, and You know it.
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it When being honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall, There's no sin You don't already know.
So let the truth be told."
You see, as I sat there surrounded by such precious friends, I felt safe! I couldn't help but think of how genuinely wounded and blessed we are! I couldn't help but think of how many women in my life this picture represents. I am so grateful that God has surrounded me with those who lay down pride and break down walls by being honest and inviting honesty. It is an honor to spur one another on to His love and good deeds that honor His purpose.
One problem, though, with such a vulnerable place is that we have to guard against the celebration of trauma. The technical term is trauma bonding. We can get so comfortable rehearsing our hardships that it is all we have to discuss. Honesty turns into self-pity and brooding, and before we know it, our venting partners and God now owe us something. We've stopped singing the song of our Savior and started tooting our own horn.
A few days before the end of the year, it hit me how sweet the Holy Spirit has been to sing to me through all these difficult years. In the middle of all of His many wonders, every single day, He takes the time to sing to me. There are many days when I refuse to listen, but every time I do, I am changed, and my story becomes less about me and more about Him and others.
Truth be told...the only way these relationships have remained healthy is because of the Holy Spirit. He sings the Word of the Father into our hearts. Then we sing that song to each other. Sometimes, we get off track, but we have the privilege of learning and teaching each other a new song.
Are you in relationships that need a new song? Are you having trouble hearing a song yourself? I would encourage you to make two decisions...
First, stop and read Psalm 40. This is not just a song you can sing to make yourself feel better. This is a song of gratitude to a God who delivers. This is an offering of surrender to a Father who takes His time to correct and comfort His children.
Second, get up and go to Church. You were not meant to do this alone. You must be surrounded by those who are just as imperfect as you and know they need Jesus. Corporate worship is not a spiritual competition. It is the joining of broken hearts lifted to bring glory and honor to our returning King.
"He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:2-3
Sharing music is one of the greatest joys in my Christian walk. So, I decided I needed to begin a "journal" of the songs on my heart for 2024. If you'd like to sing with me, click this link below to follow my catalog on Spotify.
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