Sometimes community happens through a song.
Over twenty years ago I was part of a short term team that went on a ministry tour through several cities in Colombia, South America. The team was from a large denomination in the United States, and several of us missionaries in Costa Rica went along to observe or interpret. I was an observer.
We helped facilitate a leadership conference in Medellín, Colombia, which would later become home. The locale was packed with hundreds of pastors and their wives and ministry leaders from all over the region. A worship leader was part of the team from the US, and although fluent in Spanish, he spoke through an interpreter. He led the group through several songs in Spanish and then told the audience that he wanted to teach them a special song that he had written as a young man.
He told the story behind the song, and as he began to sing the first words, something unexpected happened. The entire room erupted in song. The crowd took over, singing the words loudly by heart. The worship leader stepped back from the mic, stunned. This song that he had planned on teaching them was, in fact, already one of their beloved hymns. It had somehow been transported through the years — most likely from a cassette tape in California to many churches throughout Colombia.
At that moment, the songwriter and the singers and the Song Giver shared the same physical space and the same spiritual atmosphere, worshiping in surprising instant community and beautiful melodic fellowship.
When we speak up and share from our lives, it strikes a chord with others that not only validates them, but also breaks the isolation around our own hearts.
The apostle Paul went on his own ministry tours throughout the known world, starting many churches. Later, in his letters to them while in prison, he constantly encouraged the believers not just to get along, but to love each other well. He says to the Colossians:
“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” {Colossians 3:15-17, The Message}
In this online community, we sing the words of our own life song only to find out that someone else we have never met can sing with us, word for word. They can finish our sentences. They know our pain and our joy and bring harmony to our melody, whether in a major or minor key.
Singing our life-song is a courageous act of filling the void where distance and physical barriers separate us.
As an observer in Medellin, Colombia, I soaked in the amazing moment. I felt small in the bigness of God and how He orchestrates things, but I also felt ever-so-grateful. I feel the same way here . . . little me in a huge community, but ever-so-grateful for the songs that each woman contributes from the story of her life.
Keep singing, friends. And we will sing with you.
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Related: Sing throughout your day with these beautiful Lyrics for Life ~ A Timeless Collection, Set of 4 Wall Art.
Leave a Comment
Bridget Kramer says
Singing along in my minor and off key, friend. Love your words. Happiness is holiness in community.
Jennifer Cleveland says
haha 🙂 I love laughing with you Bridget! If happiness is holiness, we are one holy community.
karen says
WHAT an awesome God story. I lived in Colombia for a number of years growing up and can well imagine the glory in all those voices singing!
Jennifer Cleveland says
Cool! Where did you live? Yes, they put their whole heart into singing and worship!
karen says
Lived in Cali for 7 years, but attended an MK boarding school in Venezuela for part of that time so I traveled back and forth a lot. (I was born and spent the first 12 years of my life in Venezuela!) Latin blood flows through my heart!
Jennifer Cleveland says
Fun! (Well, I don’t know, was it??) Traveling was pretty dangerous when
we lived there (mid ’90’s) but we did a lot of it. I never made it to Cali, or Venezuela. Beautiful country, beautiful people. So great to
meet you here!
Amy Krance-Wendt says
So, so, so grateful we get to sing this song together, my friend! You are a gem!
Jennifer Cleveland says
Me too Amy!! So glad to be a part of your life. And if we happened to be singing together, I imagine I would just stop and listen to you. 🙂
Debbie Klotz says
Beautiful, Jennifer, just beatiful! I am happy to sing along with you!
Jennifer Cleveland says
And Debbie I am thankful for our beautiful friendship, I always look forward to seeing you. Maybe we should try singing sometime 🙂
Frances says
This is a wonderful piece! Even if I didn’t know you I would think that. 🙂 But it’s a blessing to be in the same town and to share in community together! Love you!
Jennifer Cleveland says
Frances! I always love your perspective on things and I agree, so glad we are in the community together. <3
Alice Klitz says
Songs often say what our words cannot… love sharing the song of your life and being your friend, you bless me! 🙂
Jennifer Cleveland says
Alice, thank you, and thanks for your friendship and your steady faith. You are a blessing to me as well my friend!
sarahcoleman says
What a story! I’ll keep singing. Bless you Jennifer.
Jennifer Cleveland says
Yes keep singing Sarah! 🙂 Thanks for being here today.
Caryn Jenkins Christensen says
What a neat story Jennifer! Imagine what it will be like when we get to heaven and are ALL singing the same song of worship to the Lord! Standing with you my friend, singing in harmony along with you in this life and honored to do so
🙂
Jennifer Cleveland says
Caryn I can’t imagine how unbelievable it will be when we are all worshiping together! You are another musical friend I would love to just listen to. 🙂 Honored to have you visit me here. <3
Beth Williams says
Great story! I love to praise God using my whole body. Sometimes my arms lifted up in worship of His awesome glory! I, too, sing loudly in my off key voice! But God said to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and that’s what I want to do!
I also want to make harmony here at this website. I want to encourage these women as they encourage me!
Blessings 🙂
Jennifer Cleveland says
Amen, Beth! Thanks for joining in with us and for sharing your harmony with all these wonderful singers.