Hamsters and Mozart

09/24/08

Author: Dr. Julie Barrier

What do hamsters, bunnies, Michener and Mozart have in common?  They are known for being prolific. I tried really hard to be a great composer. I certainly was prolific. For years I composed music for a children’s television series, aerobics CDs, music videos, musicals, oratorios, choral and orchestral pieces…even a silent movie score. It makes my head hurt just listing them.

And yet, the only real grammy-winner among the plethora of semi-mediocre genius was a preschool ditty called “Who Made You?” Boy, the big bucks came rolling in on that one! Year after year, two and three-year-olds chirped my “one-hit wonder” faithfully. And, bless their little hearts, the publishers sent me royalty checks year in and year out.

“Who Made You?” is a question philosophers and scientists have explored for centuries. If we don’t believe that God is the Author and Creator of all things, we have truly missed the boat. I guess the most significant spiritual truths I have learned are both simple and profound. “Jesus loves me, this I know…for the Bible tells me so.” Does it get any better than that?

As musicians, we are often enamored with our elaborate expressions of worship. We are impressed by our cleverness and skill. We feel sure that men will stand in awe and God will clap. I think the best worship is by the little ones-those chubby cherubs who sing songs of pure love and delight. After all, our attempts at worshipping a mighty, holy God are rudimentary at best. Often our motives are a diluted mixture of half-hearted surrender and self-aggrandizement. But our Father knows best. That’s why he prompted David to write these words:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set you glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise .” Psalm 8:1-2

The worship God loves is pure and simple. We bow. We sing. We surrender.

Julie's blog, Tales From the Parsonage for women, begins Oct. 10. Meanwhile, look for more Barrier stories here.