Imagine remaining in love all the time. When we think of romantic love, we say one has fallen in love. What a beautiful image, falling. For the longest time, I felt a need to advance in my life. That itch grew in me over the last few years. So, I began a search. I started looking for ways to climb. As an academic, I looked towards administration – that was one way I could advance. I looked towards larger institutions with graduate programs. Working with more advanced students could have been another way to climb. I looked for professional choral opportunities. None of those so-called advancements attracted me. So, what did I do? I plunged.

A year ago, I quit my full time teaching job. That’s how I was to advance. I simply cut the cord, and now I’m free falling. You know that feeling of being on a rollercoaster? The best part is when you get to the top, and the climbing mechanism disengages and puts you in a freefall. How exhilarating!

I think today’s offertory anthem takes us on an excursion like that – a freefall. Do you remember those old Nestea commercials? They showed people with huge smiles on their faces as they fell backwards into an inviting pool of clear, cool water. Simon Lole, the composer of today’s anthem, has created such an image with the text from the 13^th chapter of John. The vocal lines soar above, but this heightened sensation is more like allowing gravity to pull you towards the ever-loving arms of The Creator.

The advancement that I sought in life was simply to recognize that I am in love. I’m not in love with anything or anyone in particular, but I have learned that in freefalling, in letting go, and in being brave, the source of God’s love is revealed – it’s within. You can’t climb your way towards it. You breathe out, unhinge, disarm, and simply float into sublimity.

The word sublime comes from the Latin sublimis which means ‘high up.’ But the root ‘sub’ means below. It could sound like a contradiction. The way to advance is to fall, not to fail necessarily. We “stumble upon” good fortune, or we “fall into” good luck. Of course, we realize there is no such thing as fortune or luck. The rest of the world paws at advancement, but believers simply let go. And what do you find?

You find that you never needed to reach for the stars. You are the star. You are the star of creation, the pinnacle of God’s love, power, and authority, encoded into you very being. The chemical composition of stardust is also your chemical makeup. No reaching. It’s an inner skydive. Yes, the vocal lines in this anthem soar, but it’s more like the sound you make on a rollercoaster, hands in the air as it falls, “Weeeeeee.”

Freefalling is the most incredible high. Letting go of possessions, the so-called need to advance, and disarming yourself is perhaps the greatest love of all. Go ahead and take the plunge. This music is indeed sublime. It reaches the rafters effortlessly. Most of the world is afraid that if they let go, they’ll hit rock bottom. But rock bottom is hit by climbing, reaching, and striving, not by falling. How easy is it to fall in love? It’s simply a matter of releasing. But only a few are brave enough. Perhaps this music will encourage you to take the plunge. I can assure you, it’s the best and only way to advance. Soli Deo Gloria!