Consider the Lilies and Pray

Yes, a choir director was on my Pastor’s Wish List, but I know others have been wishing for a while, too. Allow me to explain. Just over a year and a half ago Oak Haven lost their choir director of over 40 years. His death was, obviously, a great loss. He had been a great director, but more than that someone a lot of people looked up to and admired, and whose faith spoke what he believed about God.

The Sunday after he passed away was a difficult one. We had already had his funeral a few days prior. Of course, everyone knew this was our first Sunday without him. The choir’s anthem began with a blip and had to be restarted. It was obvious we missed our friend in many ways. Through the readings and the other parts of the service the unusual silence and stillness was deafening. At that time our sermon still came pretty close to the end of the service. Just prior a special music selection was given.

It was a selection our friend had requested some time ago. Time and things got in the way and it just never happened. This Sunday, however, was to be the perfect Sunday to sing Consider the Lilies. As I just wrote the title and recalled the emotions and the message the song gave us in a few short minutes, and the voice that was obviously inspired, something more than goose bumps came over me. It was a powerful moment for me and I think many others.

My short walk to the pulpit lasted hours. Sheer silence was broken by tissues being removed from their boxes and little bags; sniffles and the deep breathing that comes with keeping your tears back filled our small sanctuary. I almost allowed a time for us to remember him again, but in those hours I walked to the pulpit decided not to. We had said goodbye—a funeral service worth remembering. This was our time to remember God’s Word to us, even in our mourning. So, I preached what I had prepared, but realized that perhaps no one would remember what I said against the words of this song:

Consider the lilies of the field,
How they grow, how they grow.
Consider the birds in the sky,
How they fly, how they fly.

He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky.
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sheep of His fold,
How they follow where He leads.
Though the path may wind across the mountains,
He knows the meadows where they feed.

He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky,
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth.
The pains of all of them He carried
From the day of His birth.

He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.

For a while before his passing the choir had been struggling. Members had moved away and the number of choir members had dwindled to just a handful of people. They were determined, however, to continue their music ministry even despite what could have been the final obstacle they couldn’t overcome. As I have assured them time and again, with their resources they have done quite well. God can do much with faithfulness (and a good attitude helps, too).

Now, everyone recognizes the time has since come to have a new choir director. Actually, we know the need is long overdue. As a worship team, choir and pastor, we are ready to pray together for the person(s) God would have lead our music ministry. Would you pray with us?

God, as your people in this place, we lift to you our prayers for the person or persons you have prepared to lead us. We have the great responsibility and joy of leading others in the worship of your great and mighty name. For many years one of your servants did so with great faithfulness. Now, we need another whose heart is to do the same. Send to us who we need now. To the One who puts the song in our hearts we offer our praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Stay blessed…john