Meeting God as we Create Community
In the summer of 2022, Brandi Carlile orchestrated a return to the Newport Folk Music stage for 78 year old Joni Mitchell. It was incredible. The folk singer performed publicly for the first time since a 2015 brain aneurysm left her unable to speak or walk, let alone play the guitar or carry a tune. This article by NPR music critic Ann Powers tells the story behind the moving performance and includes links to some videos: https://www.npr.org/2022/07/25/1113351769/joni-mitchell-brandi-carlile-newport-folk-festival-2022
Now, I love Brandi Carlile’s music and I’m familiar with much of Joni Mitchell’s body of work. But what made this such a powerful set of performances to watch was not the musicality or professional showmanship of the singers. Instead, what brought me to tears were the many examples of unselfish love on display. Mitchell’s love for her music, for performing, and for her audience radiated through her entire being. The musicians playing and singing along with her lovingly supported and celebrated her very presence there with them. And Brandi Carlile has kept Joni Mitchell’s music alive in popular culture over the past several years and had created this opportunity for her friend to be the honored guest and star performer of the event. It was a musical feast of love!
This, friends, is what a community centered on Love can be. Loving our neighbor will often look like supporting others as they practice and share their unique gifts. It will look like sticking with them through tragedy and reminding them and others of their inherent value as God’s creation. It will also look like discovering what makes your heart sing with joy and stepping into the limelight every once in a while! And it will involve making joy-filled opportunities for everyone to shine with their whole being. With open hearts, we can notice the creative spark of God in ourselves and in those around us. When that happens, we can see our life together as a holy and joyful, unpredictable celebration of life.