We are going through a series at church about dealing with this crazy, hectic, overstressed life we lead. Last week the focus of the sermon was on the need to pause and reflect, using Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a prime example. It says in the Bible that when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her of her chosen role, “she pondered these things in her heart.” (Luke 1:29) I enjoyed this aspect because hitting the pause button is something I need as much as anyone. Reference was also made to the fact that we need to look around us and see the beauty of nature, which God created and formed. In our fast-paced lives, we tend to miss God’s work all around us.

A soloist closed the service by singing Chris Rice’s amazing song, “Hallelujahs.” As the words were sung, their meaning and depth made a new and deep impression on me:

“Hallelujahs”
by Chris Rice
A purple sky to close the day
I wade the surf where dolphins play
The taste of salt, the dance of waves
And my soul wells up with hallelujahs

A lightning flash, my pounding heart
A breaching whale, a shooting star
Give testimony that you are
And my soul wells up with hallelujahs

Oh praise Him all His mighty works
There is no language where you can’t be heard
Your song goes out to all the Earth
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

O cratered moon and sparrow’s wings
O thunder’s boom and Saturn’s rings
Unveil our Father as you sing
And my soul wells up with hallelujahs

Oh praise Him all His mighty works
There is no language where you can’t be heard
Your song goes out to all the Earth
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

The pulse of life within my wrist
A fallen snow, a rising mist
There is no higher praise than this
And my soul wells up
O my soul wells up
Yes my soul wells up with hallelujahs

Oh praise Him all His mighty works
There is no language where you can’t be heard
Your song goes out to all the Earth
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

O hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

Go to http://www.chrisrice.com/articles.php?id=10 to read an interesting story written by Chris Rice about this very song being heard on CNN as it was broadcast from a space shuttle flight.