This action cannot be undone.
magnum opus is the Latin phrase for “great work”. I’ve been thinking of this phrase for some time now as I’ve been working my way towards starting my largest musical project yet. I don’t recall exactly how the idea came to me, but I do remember that a random thought popped into my head to create a soundtrack for the Bible. I’ve had some inspiration from Music Inspired by The Story and many favorite soundtracks. Music can speak differently than words, and I hope to capture just a glimpse of the depth of scripture. Leaving a positive impact on the world for His glory is one of my life goals. I pray God uses this music in the lives of many.
The first piece is Overture: Before the Foundations. This musical work attempts to comprehend the immense love God displayed when He created this world. Everything was perfect in every way, yet He decided to create a universe that would ultimately rebel against Him and require Jesus, His only Son, to die on a cross to save us from our very much deserved eternal punishment. He chose to create this world with all that on His mind because He wanted things outside of the Trinity to ascribe His glory. We are His creation made in His image. God’s love produced image bearers of Him, so our purpose should be to give Him praise with our lives.
As I started to compose this first piece these passages of scripture heavily influenced each note:
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” - Colossians 1:16
He created all things, and He created them all for Him. Nothing created was required for God to make, yet He did so. This includes man’s established traditions like kings and authorities. He created it all for Him, to give Him the praise and glory due Him.
“in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began” - Titus 1:2
“who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” - 2 Timothy 1:9
Even before He created the world, He promised eternal life with Him. He was thinking about everyone who would become a believer when He decided to create this world. I think of Abraham and Lot. Abraham kept lowering the number of righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah for God to save the city from destruction. Abraham got all the way down to 10 righteous people. I believe God said for just you, to spend eternity with you, I’d create this whole world, and I’ll send My Son to rescue you from the wages of your sin. What profound love God shows towards us who believe! He set us apart before the foundations of the world for His purpose and grace. What a great calling to have even before we entered this world. God had a plan for our lives from before the beginning of time.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.” - Job 38:4
“what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” - Psalm 8:4
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.“ - Matthew 10:29-31
To contrast this very personal relationship with our awesome God, we are nowhere near worthy for Him to stoop down and talk with us. God is far above us. We are like nothing compared to the greatness of God. Somehow, beyond His great act of love, creating this world, and yet His greater act of love, sending His Son into this world, He still has love enough to listen to us and our needs. This extreme love for us is not because of anything that we say or do. We can’t earn it. It comes from a God that is so full of Love within the Trinity that He is forced to overflow. The next most valuable, worthy of love, beings are God’s image bearers. I believe this is the only reason God can love us so much despite how much we once hated Him. What a God of love.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” - Isaiah 6:3
“Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” - Isaiah 43:6b–7
Everything created is full of His glory and must proclaim it. This includes us. We should not hold quiet but should be louder than the rest of creation. Again, we are created for His glory. Let us proclaim His greatness!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10
Finally, we are God’s special created being. We are the only created thing that is very good. Since we are made in His image and He demonstrated His love through these many acts of love towards us, we should likewise pick up our gifts and talents from Him and use them to make creative work that speaks of the immense creativity of our great God.
I invite you to join along with this project and listen to this music that is inspired by God’s Word. Also, I strongly encourage you to think about what magnum opus you have been called to do with your life. What talents has God gifted you with, that you can use to leave an eternal impact on this world?