Yesterday, I told you how much I love “Christmas” hymns. This morning, I’m still thinking about singing, but I also have the Grinch on my mind. If you’re not familiar with the tale, let me summarize the story in an appropriately “rhyming” sort of way…
The Grinch had stole Christmas, or so so he had thought;
he took all the presents, from every Who-tot.
He climbed to the peak, of his mountain to hear,
what he thought would be sadness, but instead there was cheer.
Rather than crying, the Whos came to the site,
of the place where their tree, had been taken last night.
And from his mountain-top view, the Grinch heard a new call;
Not pining or griping, but merriment all.
My life loves it when I suddenly start rhyming every thing I say. Just ask her.
The point is, the Grinch tried his best to ruin the reason the Whos of Whoville had to be happy, but what he didn’t learn until the end of the story was this: They had a reason to be happy that couldn’t be stolen. They had an internal—dare I say, spiritual—reason for cheer. So what did they do, when faced with a loss? They sang, refusing to allow their circumstances to deprive them of their joy.
Unlike the Grinch, the Devil will never change his ways. The Devil is relentless in his pursuit to steal the joy out of every Christian’s heart. He will throw everything at you. He is unscrupulous. And, looking back on years’ past, I think we can see how successful he’s been. So what can we do? Should we surrender? Should we go about assuming the worst is always going to happen? Should we lie down and yield to the unrelenting onslaught of evil? No. Not me. I don’t know about you, but I’m not surrendering. On the contrary, I am “more than a conqueror” (Romans 8:37). Why should I surrender? I’ve already won. I’m not going to lie down and cry. No, I’m going to sing about my victory!
I’m going to sing because I refuse to do what the Devil wants. He wants me to give up. He wants me sad, defeated, and bitter. But I intend to draw closer to Christ, not farther. I intend to read my Bible more, not less. I intend to sing louder, not softer.
I am thankful for the gift of singing, not only as a reaction to happiness, but as a spark to light the fire of joy itself.
~ Matthew