“And he said, ‘If you have ears to hear, then hear!’”
(Mark 4:9 NRSV)
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”
(Mark 4:9 The Message)
“And he said, ‘If you have ears to hear, then hear!’” (Mark 4:9 NRSV)
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?” (Mark 4:9 The Message)
“An “earworm” (borrowed from the German, ohrwurm) is a tune or bit of a song that plays and replays in your head, in an uninvited, automatic, spontaneous sort of way. All of us, I suppose, have suffered from the condition from time to time – a melody that somehow “gets stuck in your head.” (World Mission Prayer League)
I am a poor sleeper and the older I get the more difficult it is to make it through the night undisturbed. Lately there is an added distraction to my slumber. I wake with a song in my head. It might be as comforting as a hymn from Sunday or as annoying as a jingle from a radio commercial.
In spite of this, I have come to think that the term ‘Earworm’ might be considered a biblical concept. The Scriptures recognize that there are many songs and sounds in the world that surround us, each one seeking dominance in our mind and in our lives. Some of those tunes are restful; some can drive me to distraction with their repetition. I can’t seem to make the melodies stop… but I can change the tune! I have found that Taize chants can replace loud irritating songs from the radio. Try ‘O Lord, hear my prayer’ or ‘Stay with Me’ to receive comfort instead of confusion or consternation.
So, try changing the tunes that direct your life! Those repetitive sounds that say ‘I can’t do things, don’t deserve love or affection, shouldn’t expect anything good from life’ can be changed to “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV, my favourite!) A number of years ago I said to one of my daughters, “All you have to do is change the record in your head”. That is easier said than done but it can be done!
Why not try it right now. Choose a Taize chant, a favourite hymn, a mantra (Maranatha is a favourite!) and let that be your earworm for the day! Maybe your earworm tonight will be your prayer for tomorrow:
Prayer: O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
when I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
come and listen to me. (Taize Community)
Thought for the day: “Hello, hello, I am thy ear worm, thy ear worm.” — Wise Guys, “Ear Worm”.
Kenn Stright
(To access the entire “Where Is God When it Hurts” mini-series, please click here!)