A Fellow Traveller

"Be still and know that I AM God." How can I be still long enough to know what this means when life is so busy? God told Moses to tell the people, "I AM that I AM", but that seems quite circular. I want to ask, " I AM what?" In the middle of a busy workshop day, I walked outside at Woodend among beautiful trees. These are the verses I found myself singing, repeating each line three times. Be still and know that I AM God...... In you, O Lord, do I put my trust....... I put down my roots, into your word..... You're the same yesterday, today and forever........ You are the source, I connect into you...... You are the God who hears my cries....... Then the song seemed to change it's voice, it's point of view suddenly switching, as if God was singing a love song to me. I AM the Lord that heals all your hurts....... I AM providing for all of your needs......... I AM the song that you can sing......... I AM the perfume that smells so sweet...........

There is a classic Sesame Street song sung by Grover with Madeline Kahn. In his characteristic raspy voice, Grover tries to echo Madeline. Initially he sings right with her before learning what echo means. He learns to wait his turn, to listen and to match the tune and rhythm to the best of his ability. He feels like he will never master the "arioso" parts but keeps trying. As Grover sings with gusto, he feels her approval at his attempts. The song is beautiful, but not because of Grover. The beauty of the song comes from the relationship developing, the following of a leader, the patterns that repeat and because of Madeline's voice. I love the ending, where Grover can't sing low to follow her lead. He finally sings high, applying something he's heard before in the song. If Jesus was The Singer who echoed God's song on earth, I can also be a singer who learns to echo Jesus' voice. I can begin to feel his approval as I slow down to listen ...