November 2020 - LPNI

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November 2020

LPNI Devotion

Using Music to Serve and Share the Gospel

According to Martin Luther, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise.” This month marks another year since my dear father died from Parkinson’s Disease. He was a musician, picking up a brass instrument called the baritone in high school. He played a duet at his high school graduation. After leaving school, he joined two bands and served another 40 years playing the baritone to preserve the German musical culture. The band played across the world, and in many churches. He always would say, “This is the way to share the gospel of Christ”. My earthly father served his Heavenly Father by music.

The Word of God was set to melody by Martin Luther. Luther had a high regard for music, and encouraged clergy and others to use music to proclaim the gospel. Luther himself added a number of hymns to our church. Generations of hymn writers continue to compose new songs to inspire us to lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. As Psalm 5:11 says: Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever (NLT).

In carrying out the mission of the church, we can share the love of Christ in so many ways using our voices, songs, dances, and instruments. There are many Bible verses that emphasize how we can praise and give thanks to God in music. Psalm 150 is a beautiful conclusion to the book of Psalms. It invites us to praise God with the music of every instrument we have. Since biblical times, music has been used to lead worship, bring joy, celebrate religious festivals, and soothe the soul at funerals and times of spiritual distress. Remember how David used music to soothe King Saul! Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. (Psalm 95:1 NIV)

We are called to share the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. Psalm 105:2 encourages us to use music to do this: Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts (NIV). In the last year of my father’s life, we would sing “Jesus Loves Me” to him at night. It was one of his favorite songs. Although a song for children, I knew that, as his adult children, we shared the love of Christ with him daily. When Dad was restless, we often played instrumental music of Christian hymns. Music speaks thoughts and feelings that cannot be expressed in other ways. It soothes the mind, and gives rest to the soul.

After Dad’s death, I played music on and off for most of each day. It was a powerful connection between my God and me. It helped me heal. Praising our Lord in song helped me to understand the purpose and meaning of life. Music served me in my saddest days of life on the journey of mourning. It had a positive effect on my body, mind and soul.

God’s creation has its own beautiful music. There is no absolute silence. Birds chirp, winds whistle, animals call, cows moo, leaves rustle, rivers rush. The Psalmist encourages: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth (Psalm 98:4 NIV), and: Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 98:7 NIV)

Finally, our songs, hymns, and spiritual songs follow the church calendar. We joyfully sing what God has done for us. From Advent to the Lord’s resurrection, we confess in song the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

As parish nurses, can use music in diverse and meaningful ways within our health ministries. As we serve others we can pray, praise and give thanks through music, and we can use music as a tool to share His Word.

God of beauty, thank you for the gift of music as we share your Good News in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. (Rev 5:12 ESV).

Carol Lueders-Bolwerk, Parish Nurse Educator

Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI 53097, USA

carol.lueders.bolwerk@cuw.edu