What's in Your Ears?
Pastor Joy
Most of our regular attendees will know that our worship team uses in-ear monitors instead of using stage speakers that act just like headphones, playing music in our ears. This helps us hear what we are sounding like and we can also hear other instruments. Each of us has the ability to change our own levels in our ears so we can hear what we want to hear. One feature that you may not realize is that we have a metronome or a click in our ears as well. This sets the tempo for the song. We have a guide in our ears that throughout the song tells us which part is coming next. "Chorus, 2, 3, 4...Verse 2, 3, 4..." etc. This was difficult to get used to. We all have our own tempo version of what the song should be at (4/4, 6/8 key signature), how fast or slow a song should be (64bpm or 124bpm) and we all have different ways we can play the song, --verse, chorus, bridge, bridge, chorus, tag, ending...on and on. So many different factors, but the click track keeps us all together. If the instruments are off tempo or if the vocalists don't sing the correct next part of the song major mistakes can happen. We all practice at home and here together at church, but this one vital part of our worship ministry keeps us together, helping us make a joyful noise that isn't disruptive or distracting. So, as hard as it was to get used to it, none of us would ever want to go back to not having this as a part of our worship service.
What are you using in your life that is vital to your every day?
What do you use to keep you and your family on track?
What do you refer to in preventing mistakes that are costly?
What helps prevent you from distractions?
Who do you listen to that guides your decisions?
Who speaks to you that is trustworthy?
Who do you know intimately that you lean into and depend on?
This challenge is not to intimidate or shame you, but to bring your attention to what brings light, truth, clarity, and peace to our lives. We are meant to live prosperous and blessed lives that rely fully on our Savior and Creator. Jesus Christ and the Word of God is what should be played in our ears, it should override all distractions, it should guide us and be something we cannot ignore because it keeps us all aligned, informed, and walking full, rich lives in Christ!
Hebrews 4:12-16 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. (Christ is Our High Priest) So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.