Dear Rose Park,
Earlier this week I finished listening to the audiobook entitled “Miracle and Wonder” by Malcolm Gladwell. In this particular book, Gladwell interviewed Paul Simon, the famous singer-songwriter from the duo Simon & Garfunkel. Simon shared thoughts and context from his illustrious career while also shedding light on his creative process. Near the end of the interview though, I heard Paul utter a phrase that’s continued to echo in my mind.
Gladwell asked him about the particular meaning of a song and Simon refused to give specifics. Instead, he said, “the listener completes the song.” Gladwell was a bit confused and asked for clarification and further explanation. Simon essentially said that if he were to give the exact specifics of a song then it takes away from the interpreted meaning from the listener. In other words, one song cannot be limited to only specific context.
He went on to add how listening to music in different stages of life also gives different meaning; these different interpretations are not inherently wrong and are not in competition with one another. Instead, both of these interpretations can be held together.
As I’ve continued to think about this idea I’ve also been thinking about the Church. Don’t jump too far ahead of me, I’m not encouraging that you and I get to add our own personal interpretations into scripture in order to fit our own preconceived notions. I’m also not encouraging that you and I should be cutting portions of scripture out and adding our own endings in order to “fix” scripture. Here’s what I am encouraging: take notice of how certain scriptural passages affect us during different stages of life.
For example, as a toddler we might hear Psalm 23 as a delightful story about a shepherd leading a lamb through a green pasture. As a parent, we might hear it as a reminder of God’s faithfulness through the many joys and sorrows of parenting. Or what about Paul’s letter to the Romans? As a high school teenager, we might hear Romans 8 as a comforting assurance that the God of the universe deeply loves me and desires a relationship with me. As an adult who is anticipating end of life, we might hear Romans 8 as a benediction assuring us that not even death could separate you from God. Or what about the book of Exodus? As a new Christian we might hear this book as a laundry list of things to do and things to avoid in order to earn God’s love. But as a mature Christian we understand that through God’s Word we find the fullest sense of life because it leads us towards greater intimacy with God.
I’m not sure Paul Simon had God’s Holy Word in mind when he said, “the listener completes the song.” However, I hear that phrase, and my mind immediately goes towards the fullness of our humanity in our relationship with God. Too often, we distance ourselves from God’s Word refusing to bring our own experiences and emotions, but these are what make us fully human. So, it seems appropriate to bring our fullest selves to scripture. Bring all your emotions and experiences and allow scripture to shape and mold them for righteousness because when we do, we’ll be drawn closer to each other as we’re drawn closer to Him.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Harshveen Kalsi on Unsplash