Mixing it up

Laura Digan November 08, 2022 0 0

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Psalm 98 (NRSVA)

1 O sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvellous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
    have gained him victory.
2 The Lord has made known his victory;
    he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
    the victory of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
    let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
    to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.

“I’m gonna change you like a remix,

Then I’ll raise you like a phoenix”

These lyrics are part of the song Phoenix by Fall Out Boy.

I love a good remix or the use of samples in a song. Done right, it can bring new life to an old much-loved song. . 

I’ve always been a big fan of Stevie Nicks and Edge of Seventeen is in my top 10 all time favourite songs. In 2001 Destiny’s Child sampled Edge of Seventeen prominently for their song Bootylicious introducing Stevie Nick’s original to a new generation. In 2020 Miley Cyrus sampled Edge of Seventeen in her song Midnight Sky. Stevie Nicks then joined Miley Cyrus in a creative remix of both songs called Edge of Midnight. 

It isn’t just in music that sampling and remixing can bring creativity and introduce material to new generations. I’ve recently been introduced to a book about Polish cooking where the author has re-imagined and updated traditional dishes for today’s pallet.

Our spiritual lives too can benefit from sampling and remixing the practices of the saints who have gone before us. In exploring the prayers and spiritual practices of Christians of the past we gain a better understanding of the saints who went before us. And in incorporating elements of their practices into our own through time and space these saints help to encourage us, rejuvenate us and deepen our relationship with our God. 

PRAYER:

Father, 

We have much to learn from your children throughout history, 

Help us to see that we don’t always know the answers

That there is much wisdom in the saints who have gone before us

Allow us to be open to their voices speaking through history to creatively revive us, and to help us to see you in fresh, new and exciting ways. 

Amen