Can you think of an instance where time stood still for you? And you could recall exactly where you were and what you were doing during that moment in history? Many of us had experienced that when we heard that the Twin Towers had been attacked on 9/11/01. I was in New Mexico, and had just started a new job the day before. My husband was driving me to work, as we listened to the broadcast on the radio. Uh-oh, I thought, there’s been a major security breach somewhere! Of course, it was much greater than that. The mental picture in my mind paled in comparison to the actual event that I later saw unfold on live TV. That moment changed us forever.
This past December, I had the opportunity to attend the Generation Youth for Christ (GYC) with my twin boys and husband. I had been to other GYC conventions before, so this was not my first. But on Sabbath morning, before the speaker got up to preach, the GYC choir sang a song that simply captivated me with it’s beauty. Very few songs do that to me--other than the Hallelujah Chorus. I can hardly listen to that song without tearing up when contemplating “For-ev-er, and ev-er, and ev-er, . . . ” in four-part harmony, of Christ’s reign through eternity in a perfect place free from sickness, pain, and tears. And don’t even think about talking to me during that song, as my husband learned the hard way one year! Inspired music like that is an “experience,” not to be mixed with the mundane.
So as the GYC choir started singing, “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive. I was paralyzed! It was one of those moments where time stood still for me. The vocalists were like angels, and the music and words transported me to the courts of Heaven! Christ’s extreme holiness is the only solution for this dark, broken world. I had never heard any music so beautiful. Truly! I was spellbound for moments afterwards.
This Sabbath, if you are looking for an extraordinary experience to deepen your Sabbath experience, I invite you to sit back and listen to the link below. Watch when the choir director jumps off his feet when the choir antiphonally replies, "He is!!!"
Of course, this is only as good as the speakers on your computer or your Bluetooth device, but I know you will still be blessed.
Until next time, Happy Sabbath,
Jackie