By Daniel Harmon, Center for Living Water

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice…

I lead an experience called Sacred Pulse at Community of Christ in Independence, Missouri, USA. This monthly gathering is planned around Mindful Music and draws hearts together in community through various styles and genres of music. What I love most about this experience is the diversity of participants. We have life-long, devoted members of Community of Christ and new community participants from various faith backgrounds. Even with uncertainty about God’s nature and presence in their lives, those who come to this gathering find a sense of sacred renewal and abiding love by being together in an open and loving community.

Few things bring me greater joy than creating music. Playing music on the guitar draws me to peace. Writing music is my greatest pathway to inner life, creating a springboard for emotional and spiritual clarity. Listening to music opens my heart to God and helps me identify and connect with artists who approach music with different skills, visions, and stories from my own. I find it is all steeped in sacredness. Music is among the most vulnerable of expressions we can offer to the world around us.

The songs I have written speak to my own life experience. The container that originally holds them is my own heart. I dwell with the melodies and lyrics over time, and when a sense of courage comes, I open that part of my heart to the rest of the world. This is when these songs feel like they come to their fullest potential. When other musicians play and the voices of a sacred community sing along, these songs find their fullest life. When others share about what these songs mean to them, I quickly realize how the divine is at work in ways I can’t even comprehend.

The passions that renew us have great personal meaning, but they find their greatest expression when we have the courage to share them in community. May we be the thousands singing with full voice, sharing our gifts, talents, hopes, dreams, and very being as a holy offering to a world that needs our song.

Prayer Phrase

“For surely I know the plans I have for you…to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Time with God

Sit quietly and let your breathing become calm and deep. Ask God’s Spirit to rest on you. See or sense the Spirit anointing you in the form of light, a dove, wind, color, or other images that might come. Ask to become aware of God’s love. Listen to the ways in which God wants to flow from your heart as living water. Give thanks that your name is “beloved.”

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.