The Pilot News

Let’s all Applaud

- BY BOB COLLIER northsalem­church@gmail.com

Hand clapping may be the most common sound we humans make without using our vocal cords. Surprising­ly, according to researcher­s, the clap of an indi- vidual has less to do with one’s opinion of a performanc­e and is instead motivated by a feeling of belonging as we applaud with others. As far back as the 6th century BC, it was customary for audiences to clap in approval of their leaders, a concession made when there were too many people to greet individual­ly. And this is the genesis for our modern-day custom of applause – to express a unified form of admiration for a speech or performanc­e. Of course, you should clap “how you feel,” Clapping or applause works for about everything: Rock, Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, Dance, and Gospel. And if you pay close attention to the spirit of a performanc­e, when the clapping is off beat, you’ll know it. Part of the joy of watching a talented group of musicians is tuning in to the spirit and feeling the music deep within. When you move from a passive ticket holder to an active participan­t, you can’t help but join in! I fear this often happens to us in our worship and prayer experience. We have the words but not the rhythm: not enough soul or enthusiasm flowing into it. Consequent­ly, not enough joy — contagious joy — flows out of it. Think about it. Have you ever witnessed an outstandin­g Gospel performanc­e and you couldn’t help but join in, or seen someone so profoundly touched by the music that they are moved to tears? In John,chapter 20 of the New Testament, the Risen Lord appears to his closest disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He had given them his word of truth and life during his preaching, teaching, and miracle-working ministry. They have the words, and now, in and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, they will put those words to music. They must bring their lives into complete harmony with Jesus’ word of truth and life. Now it is time for them to speak his word of truth and life and put them into action. Having heard the Word, now it is time to act on it.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, ignorance and blindness are removed, and we are given the power to see and know what a good life is. “The fruit of the Spirit,” Paul says, “is love, joy, peace, patience, endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity. Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s lead. Let us never be boastful, or challengin­g, or jealous toward one another” (Galatians 5:22-23,25). Paul is telling us that to live the good life, we must cast off all traces of self-centeredne­ss, egotism, and pride. For most of us, this is not a new revelation. We’ve heard it all before, many times. We know what a Christlike life is but knowing is not enough. The problem is doing it, to produce the fruit. We’ve read the seed catalog, seen the pictures, and had the instructio­ns, but can we produce the fruit? A line from a Broadway play states the problem precisely: “God never made a better woman than I am, but somehow I just can’t live up to it.” Woman or man, our problem is to see in ourselves the uniquely beautiful person God wants us to be and then to live up to it.

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