I happen to be the proud owner of a hand-made Taylor 12 string guitar.   When all 12 strings are in perfect tune, it is a wondrous thing to experience.  But that is only true when those strings are all in tune with each other.  Twice the number of strings means twice the number of things that can go wrong.  No string has to be way off key.  Each one just vibrating, say 1% off what it should be, but multiply that by 12 and it’s like fingernails on a chalkboard.

After much trial and error, and admittedly the purchase of an electronic tuner,  the headache of constant tuning has been made much easier.  In the process of getting it “just right” I also discovered something fantastic.  There seems to be a place in the vibration scale that is just right for the guitar.  When you hit that “sweet spot”, the whole body of the guitar comes alive with the sensational vibrations and sound. The other 11 strings know when it happens too, and they will also pick up the “vibes”, (pun intended) and begin to resonate in empathy as well.  They can’t help but do it.  It’s part of their nature.  They were manufactured that way.

Since it’s not my intention to go into the physics of sound wave lengths, and how they compliment each other in the business of harmony,  suffice it to say,  when the string is in it’s right pitch, there are other strings that feel it, and they begin to sound off as well.

I’m pretty sure worship is like that.  It should come as a natural expression of who I am. It’s but a natural response we have when we find ourselves in the presence of the Lord. Evidently David was very expressive and couldn’t help but dance (half naked I hear) in the streets of Jerusalem before the ark of God.

When I take in the beauty of a sunrise over the ocean, the call of a whippoorwill at night, or  holding a grandchild born just moments ago, my heart vibrates with joy inexpressible to my Creator for His goodness.

It’s not just nature and family that do it for me.  In Isaiah 42:8, I read,  “I am the Lord, That is My Name…”  and I got goosebumps. Yea, I guess you had to be there, but it’s doing it again for me even now.

These experiences of worship cannot happen however if I am not listening for the voice of the Shepherd.  It’s difficult to hear Him  if  I am too focused on my “to do” list to listen.  Just like the words of that song that says,  “When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word,  what a glory He sheds on our way…”  It is required reading.  I must read His word, for that is the way He chose to reveal Himself to me.

Oh, and I should add that I have to be “in tune” also.  If I am living my life in that prodigal son country, far away from and in rebellion from my Father,  there are not going to be very many “resonating” responses to His leading;  not when I am so far out of tune with His will for my life.

I cherish the moments when what wells up from within me is beyond hymnal  or power-point slides; beyond guitars or pipe-organs;  when it is as spontaneous as the mountains that sing forth the glory of God.

I love the song,  “I Can Only Imagine” ….”What my eyes will see, when Your face is before me…”   But, His face is before me right now,  – – – and I stand in His presence.  – – –

I hope you do too.