Drudgery
to Joy
By Susan Klein
“O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”
Psalm 59:17 (NIV)
Have you ever had
one of those tasks that you absolutely dreaded doing, yet there was just no
getting out of it? I used to feel that way about making the tedious drive to
pick up my daughter from college for breaks. I don’t mind being the passenger on long journeys because I can read or accomplish
something along the way, but being the driver, all one can do is drive. It can feel like
such a waste of time.
Plugging in some
music on one of my recent trips, I began to sing along with Nicole C. Mullin.
“When I behold the beauty
Of Your many wonders
And I'm captivated by
Your majesty
Of Your many wonders
And I'm captivated by
Your majesty
Oh my soul rings out
a sacred hallelujah
Back to the source
From whence it came.”
a sacred hallelujah
Back to the source
From whence it came.”
As I began to take notice
of the beautiful countryside dotted with farms, the drudgery started to fade.
“And
when I'm searching
For
the face of the Invisible
When
I reach to hold the hand that formed my being
All a sudden everything that
All a sudden everything that
Is within me blesses
your name
Again and again.”
Soon, my focus
turned from the task at hand to the joyful praising of my Creator.
“When
I am overwhelmed by
All that is around me
And the tears
That flood my heart
Run down my face
I'll remember that
Your heart and
Soul was broken
And even in pain
You’re worthy of praise.”
All that is around me
And the tears
That flood my heart
Run down my face
I'll remember that
Your heart and
Soul was broken
And even in pain
You’re worthy of praise.”
The
rest of the song was sung through tears of gratefulness! While it’s easy to get
bogged down by life and overwhelmed by the evil in the world, we are spared so
much of the pain and sorrow that Jesus Himself has endured, and must still feel
in His heart as He looks upon the evil that continues today. How blessed we are
to know that, while we were in our most sinful state, Christ died for us. He
bore our punishment. No gift can match what He gave, but our praises can surely
be music to His ear.
“Crying
Holy is the
Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Who was Slain
To Receive our
Greatest Adoration
Jesus Son of God
Is His Name.” (1)
Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Who was Slain
To Receive our
Greatest Adoration
Jesus Son of God
Is His Name.” (1)
I will never view
long solitary drives with drudgery again. They’ve quickly become some of the
sweetest times of undistracted praise for my Savior.
You know that task
you are dreading…
GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you incorporate praise
into your everyday life?
2. Find
time to listen to “Holy Captivated” today. (Click HERE
to listen to it.)
FURTHER
READING:
Susan
is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor
to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work
through conflict.
(1) Nicole C. Mullen, Holy Captivated, 2011,
Maranatha! Music
