Bubbling Up

 

...who prophesied with the lyre

in thanksgiving and praise

           to the LORD.

        1 Chronicles 25. 3

(The word prophesy in Scripture

  is not limited or defined by

  the worldly concept

         of predicting the future.

Not just a statement

        of what is to come,

  but a revealing of what is now,

     a declaration of reality.

We may not be able

      to play the lyre,

but we can bear witness to God

     in many other capacities.

Prophesy here means in Hebrew

  to be softened,

 to cause to bubble up and 

   pour forth words abundantly,

singing and speaking,

playing the instruments

      in their hands,

worshiping in all they did,

     divinely influenced.

May we go forth into this day

   with the same bubbling up

and pouring forth,

praising God through our work

   and words

   and even the songs we hum.

Oxford mathematician John Lennox

   has been asked repeatedly

   why he didn't go into the ministry.

He replies,  "Every day

     I go into the ministry."

Indeed, we do as well.)

O LORD,

Help us to bubble up

and pour forth praise to You

   in and through all we do.

May our lives be evidence

    of Your truth and grace.

May our work

    be a form of worship.

Empower us

   to bear witness to others

in our words, work,

             and attitudes.

May we not just hum Your praise,

not just being aware of the melody,

   but know every note

   and every word.

Worship bears witness to others

    through with-ness with You.

May we sing with You

               into this day.