Stop singing and listen to the words (updated)

Guess there's even a bright side to being sick. :)

At church Sunday, my voice was so bad and coughing hurt so much, that I didn't sing a note the whole service, which is so unusual for me. But, what it allowed me to do was close my eyes and listen to the lyrics of the songs, meditate on the meaning. And one in particular stuck out to me.

Instead of concentrating on the harmony part that I would normally sing, I just shut up and listened to the words for once. In the context of all I've been reading (and experiencing) of the cycles of life, the up and down, the ebb and flow, the fast and slow of it, the yin and yang of the world around me, and of my internal world.. this song reminded me of the one Constant that remains through it all, holding things together. And I found that I could agree with all these words in my heart.



Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's "all as it should be"
Blessed be You name

And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name



And Job 1:21 is still true, even today. Yes, even... today.

The Lord gives.. :) and the Lord takes away. :(

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

No matter what.