Hallelujah, Amen

On my drive to work, I often listen to a choral recording of “Hallelujah, Amen” by G.F. Handel—a piece I know well from my youth choir days. Over time, it’s become part of my commute. Even without the CD playing (yes, I still use one), turning onto Eagle Mill Road makes my soul sing “Hallelujah, Amen.” Who knew that something as mundane as a morning commute could be a spiritual experience?

Singing with the Soul

Scripture reminds us that God’s presence stirs song in us. Ephesians says to sing and make melody in our hearts. Psalm 100 calls us to “make a joyful noise.” 1 Corinthians exhorts us to “sing with our spirits.”

We do not need pretty voices to sing in this way. We sing with our souls. So, here’s the big question. What makes your soul sing?

Thin Places

You know when it happens. You know the people who feed your soul and the people who eat it for lunch. You know the activities that make your soul light up and the activities that suck the life right out of you. You know when you feel the comfort or the spark of God’s Spirit. When that happens, you are in what mystics call a thin place – one of those places where heaven feels close and our souls sing to life.

Driving into Hallelujah

As we continue on in this world with its floods and disasters and wars and divisions and hatefulness and meanness and blah, blah, blah, I wonder if, every now again, we could drive into Hallelujah. I wonder if we might fill our days – even our sad days – with things that inspire our souls to sing – things that make us say, “Hallelujah, Amen.” In the little things we do to make room for God, Hallelujah, Amen. In the efforts we make to care about people, Hallelujah, Amen. In the commitment we make to pray, to worship, to live at peace with all – Hallelujah, Amen.

Tune Up Your Soul

Friends, the world needs to hear a new song. I invite you to tune up your soul at Well of Mercy. The Spirit constantly hums here. Even in the silence, you can hear her whistling through the trees. Your soul is always welcome to join the choir and sing along. Hallelujah, Amen.

Lea Slaton
Executive Director