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God in the Byline
By Jennifer McClure | February 5, 2009
Along with writing articles, I write music. Many times when writing songs it’s as if God just whispers in my ear the direction the melody should take and the next set of lyrics. An hour or so later, there’s a song sketched out on a piece of notebook paper in front of me.
When it comes time to share it with someone, I’ve always felt odd when answering, “Did you write that?” with a simple, “Yes.” How can a pitcher take credit for the water being poured out of it? Was the water not first poured into the pitcher from a greater source?
Recently when providing someone with the lyrics of a song for a PowerPoint they asked if I had written it or if someone else should be credited in the byline. I responded “Just me.” And a little later added: “And God, I suppose, but that might be a little presumptuous to add to the byline.”
On one hand, I know God gave me the song. It was a sung prayer that I simply sought Him for the lyrics and melody line as I sang. If a friend were to provide lyrics and suggest the melody line that ended up being the song, I would credit them as co-author. Why isn’t it the same with God? But on the other hand, who am I to say God wrote my song, that He chose me over someone else to inspire?
I suppose the truth is, as a Christian at least, no matter your art form, God is the source of your inspiration and creativity. And regardless of your religious orientation, no songs would have ever sprung into existence, let alone my small contribution, without Him having first created music or the ability within us to recognize and create music.
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NIV).
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3, NIV).
Topics: Devotional |
