|
September 2003 Table of Contents
Your Voice For God
Man Was Created Upright
By Chris Beatty
My wife Carole and I just returned from teaching at three major Christian conferences focusing on worship and music. With a total attendance of over 4,000, and a wide variety of music and worship styles, the Body of Christ was well represented. As we taught, coached, adjudicated and pastored we were once again reminded of the power of UPRIGHTNESS BEFORE THE LORD.
Webster's Dictionary defines the word Upright as honest, just, unbribable, obedient, incorruptible, and perpendicular to the horizon, like a tree. In this definition, Webster is addressing both the character of uprightness (honest, just, unbribable, obedient, and incorruptible) and the physical aspect of uprightness (perpendicular to the horizon, like a tree). Both aspects are foundational for all of us who sing to, and for the Lord.
First, let us look at the spiritual/character side of Uprightness. If appropriate, read the following scriptures aloud, focusing on the word, "upright."
The Lord Is Upright
DEUTERONOMY 32:3, 4 For I proclaim the name of the Lord, ascribe greatness to our God. The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
PSALM 25:8 Good and upright is the Lord, therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
The Word Of The Lord Is Upright
PSALM 33:3, 4 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the Lord is upright; and all His work is done in faithfulness.
Man Was Designed And Made To Be Upright
ECCLESIASTES 7:29 Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.
PSALM 11:7 For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.
PSALM 33:1 Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright.
PSALM 97:11, 12 Light is sown like seed for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in the Lord you righteous ones; and give thanks to His holy name.
PSALM 140:13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Thy name; the upright will dwell in Thy presence.
PROVERBS 2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in uprightness.
PROVERBS 3:32 For the crooked man is an abomination to the Lord; but He is intimate with the upright.
PROVERBS 14:2 The upright man fears the Lord; the crooked man despises Him.
PSALM 14:11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted; by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
PROVERBS 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight
LEVITICUS 26:13 I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you should not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk upright.
PSALM 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Do you start to get the idea that maybe God wants us to be upright? And, though those scriptures were primarily talking about the first part of our definition of Upright, just reading them makes most people realign their physical posture as well.
And, speaking of physical posture, how is yours:
Right now?
When you are depressed, tired, burned out, frustrated?
Victorious, on top of things and operating in the center of God's will?
What becomes obvious is that spiritual and physical Uprightness are intertwined. If things are good, the spirit tends to draw the body into Uprightness. If things are not good the body tends to reflect that "fallen" state. But, can the reverse be true also? Can the physical posture affect the spiritual? Consider this, then make your decision.
If you have a habit of slouching, with the head falling forward and the chest and ribs collapsing, how will that affect your body? The answer is it suffocates you. The chest cavity (thorax) is made smaller by the poor posture. That, in turn, makes breathing difficult, forcing you to lift the chest and ribs out of the way just to breathe. This leads to premature fatigue and tiredness, and that means less oxygenation to the brain and the rest of the body. The result is a less energetic, less positive, less rational, and less efficient person. That can lead to poor grades, poor self image and even promote depression. Again, I ask: Can the physical affect the spiritual? Now, I'm not suggesting that poor posture will cost you your salvation, but it can sure get in the way of you being your best.
Remember that God breathed His life into man and life is in the breath. God made man upright spiritually and physically. We have not evolved from apes. Being made in His image, we are uniquely designed for upright, aligned posture and living.
Looking more at the physical side of Uprightness consider these words from well-known pediatrician T. Barry Brazelton: "Even when he (child) was crying he could be stood and the delight in standing would stop his crying. This is proof of the meaning to an infant of being upright! How does he get the feeling of its importance so early? Does a baby place this value on it because he wants to imitate those around him, or is it an inborn drive to be upright? If he shows this much eagerness to be stood in the early months, there must be an inborn urge that this upright position satisfies.
How To Find And Maintain Spiritual Uprightness
Read and apply Acts 2:42. It worked then and it works now.
How To Find And MainTain Physical Uprightness
Observe and imitate toddlers. They are our best example of the naturalness of physical Uprightness.
Lift HOLY hands unto the Lord, often. It's scriptural.
Say, "I want a long back of the neck and a short front of the neck."
Say, "I want the top of my head to be as far from the floor as possible."
Keep your rearview mirror high so you have to sit tall to see out of it.
As we, and those we serve, start to live in God-intended Uprightness, we will be healthier in body, soul, and spirit. If you have any thoughts on Uprightness please share them with us at the address below.
About the Author
Committed to the belief that those who communicate with a clear and strong voice will dramatically affect those around them, Chris Beatty travels extensively presenting workshops and retreats for God's communicators. At their voice studio in Brentwood Tennessee, Chris and Carole help prepare the singers of today and tomorrow. To schedule a workshop for your church and see all 33 Vocal Coach training materials please visit their web site: www.vocalcoach.com, write them at P.O. Box 2144, Brentwood TN 37024 or call 615-331-1080.
Christopher Beatty–Training the Singers of Today and Tomorrow! Workshop or product information:
Vocal Coach, P.O. Box 2144, Brentwood, TN 37024.
615-331-1080 / www.vocalcoach.com
chris@vocalcoach.com
Back to Top
|
