On Cloud Nine

by Sungha Jung

Jeremiah Goertzen, guitar

“…But now bring me a musician.” [Says Elijah] And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him.” 2 Kings 3:15

“…David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23

I am thankful for God’s creativity. In creating the world, he added amazing and beautiful things that are not necessary for life but are still wonderful anyway. Creativity is an attribute of God, which he shared with us. From the beginning, his people expressed their gratitude through arts, such as with David, Elijah, and the tabernacle.

My favorite of these arts is instrumental music. There can be a soothing quality that is hard to get anywhere else. I, as an introverted homeschooler, have a guitar about ten feet away from my school desk. Whenever I bump into a disappointing part of a

challenging subject, I take out my guitar, and I play a few pieces. When I do, it sounds so much more than “sound organized in time.” It almost always calms me down, and I can continue. This piece, by Korean guitarist Sungha Jung, is one of my favorites. God has used it to calm me many times.