A new song

I love many things about music, but there’s one thing I cannot stand: modulations! Modulations are when a composer lifts the key to a song in hopes of making the song feel new or invigorated. For me, modulations do neither; they make songs feel old and lifeless. The don’t tell me the composer is creative; they tell me he (or she) is bored. Driving in my car recently, I heard a song I love, but when it modulated, I cringed and switched stations.

I was reminded of this when I left church on Easter morning. As was the case in many churches, the music had been magnificent, readings and sermon inspirational, and full pews encouraging. I left with a renewed spirit. I vowed to go to church more often, read daily, and find some meaningful way to serve others. What I realized was, I was just changing the key to a song I was already singing. To make it seem new or exciting, I planned to change the key. It was a spiritual modulation, if you will, and, deep down, I longed for more.

We are told to “sing to the Lord a new song.” It doesn’t say, change the key, or sing it with renewed gusto. We are to sing a new song, and I know no better time that in this Easter season to do so. 

Instead of doing what we have always done, expecting a different result, what would it look like to sing a new song . . . in our homes? our jobs? our churches (synagogues, mosques)? How would it change the way we see . . . our friends? strangers? the struggling? the poor? the lonely? the lost? How would a new song transform our fear of . . . not having enough? not being enough? 

I have changed the key to my faith so often, I’m sure God is as bored as I am. With what time I have left, I’d like to find that new song and sing it as if I have never sung it before.