where waves grow sweet

Since the topic on the forefront of my mind tonight is my newfound affinity for brussel sprouts (roasted up with a little oil and salt… oh my gosh), I am happy to say that I will not be writing a post tonight. Instead, I am handing it over to my dad who wrote the following article for Worship Leader magazine. But keep it on the down low, since it hasn’t been published yet.

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Monday was pretty ordinary this week till I opened an email and spent the next half hour in utter bliss, playing the video over and over.  Maybe you’ve seen/heard the” flash event” that took place October 30^th at Macy’s City Center in Philadelphia – called a “random act of culture.”

The camera panned the large open area of Macy’s as the organ played with erudition in the background. People of all ages and ethnicities were busy shopping, the beautiful marble area a lovely background for their mundane mall missions.

Then with breathtaking suddenness, the organ struck the opening passage of the Hallelujah Chorus, and over 600 singers scattered among very large crowd of shoppers began singing in perfect time and four part harmony, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah … for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth … hallelujah!  Hallelujah!”  Members from choirs around the city had gathered for this “flash event” and sang with such energy, beauty, enthusiasm and precision I was almost drawn to look up to see Jesus coming.

The shoppers were stunned.  They looked around, they smiled, laughed, held up their children – some attempted to join in.  I smiled, I laughed, I cried, I joined in.  Then I played it again.  And again.  My day had been invaded by Jesus.  And as I considered what I was watching and experiencing, I realized that in a very real way Jesus had, in fact, come to that mall.  As the song ended the crowd exploded in sustained applause.

Worship, celebration, the coming of Jesus – not just “in church” but as the church lives in but not of the world.  As disciples, we’re called to be the Hallelujah Chorus as a way of life.  Whether in a mall or in school or at home and work  – we have the great privilege of “declaring the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  Until Jesus does come, we are the light of the world, the incarnation (“Christ in you, the hope of glory”).  May we sing more.  Even hum in Macy’s as we meditate on God’s love and goodness.  May we demonstrate His love so richly that others not only stop and take notice, but join in the song of Jesus they already vaguely know.

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and give him glory.”  Rev. 19:6

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If you haven’t yet seen the video he’s referring to, check it out at  www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU. Pretty much amazing.