Off they went. They traveled the globe and went back and forth in time to gather the sights and sounds of the world's most spectacular worship. They came back to heaven with a collection they knew would put a smile on God's face. They reveal their collection to God, and ringing out around God's throne were some of the world's most well-known and favorite worship songs with millions of people singing together in one voice. Hands were raised and tears were streaming. There was dancing, drama, and many other gifts and talents people were pouring out. There was church after church being planted and shouts going up as people celebrate the new resources with which they will be able to spread God's word. As God listens, Gabriel and Michael say, "God, we wanted to bring you the most spectacular hallelujahs from all of your creation!" But with a shake of the head and a kind voice, God says, "Thank you, my friends, but these are not hallelujahs."
Disappointed but determined, Gabriel and Michael set out again. They traveled the globe and went back and forth in time to gather the sights and sounds of the world's most spectacular worship. They came back to heaven with a collection they knew would put a smile on God's face. They reveal their collection to God, and ringing out around God's throne were bedtime prayers and blessings before meals. The sight of so many people kneeling beside cozy beds or singing by campfires or even sitting in silence. Still yet there were people reading their Bibles, journaling along the way. There were pastors preparing and preaching sermons; Sunday School teachers preparing lessons. These hallelujahs, though quieter, seemed just as profound. As God listens, Gabriel and Michael say, "God, we wanted to bring you the most spectacular hallelujahs from all of your creation!" But with a shake of the head and a kind voice, God says, "Thank you, my friends, but these are not hallelujahs."
Frustrated, Gabriel and Michael go out a third time, and quickly realize that they cannot find anything pleasing to bring to God. They find themselves angry with God for not realizing or appreciating the great things they had seen. So this time, they traveled the globe and went back and forth in time to gather the sights and sounds of the world's most heart-wrenching scenes. They collect soliders crying out to God in pain and fear. They go to funeral homes and fires and floods and are overcome by the number of people asking, "Why?" They collect scenes of villages where people are praying and begging for rain and food. They round up some of the most shocking prayers of anger and rage at God for tragedies that have happened. They see murderers, thieves, rapists and adulterers soaked in guilt and asking for forgiveness. They bring their collection to God, and say as they begin to share it, "God this is most of what is left! There's so much pain and desolation in the world!" As Gabriel and Michael watch their own collection, they are jolted by the rawness of it and quickly find themselves weeping at the sight of it. But when they turn to look at God, He is no longer there. They called but got no response. They searched all over heaven, but God was nowhere to be found. Not knowing where else to look, they turned their gaze towards earth. Suddenly, they again saw all of the scenes of pain and the real people they had just been viewing, and stood stiff as they saw God, right in the midst of the hurting people, His arms around them, pulling them close, whispering in their ears. God looked up at Gabriel and Michael with tears streaming down His own face and said, "These, my friends, are hallelujahs. Please tell the others to meet me here."Inspired by:
Amos 5:21-24, Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 18:9-14; "Better Than a Hallelujah
" by Amy Grant
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