I love the Songs of Ascent in the Bible. These are the psalms people actually sang as they walked up to Jerusalem on pilgrimage. (Check out Psalms 120-134). These psalms contain some of the most famous passages in the world. (and some less famous which happen to be my personal favorites.) Phrases like these:

I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.. 120:1

I was glad when they said unto me, “let us go into the house of the Lord. 121:1

Those who trust in the Lord area s secure as Mt. Zion. 125:1

When the exiles came back to Jerusalem, we were like people who dreamed. 126:1

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 126:5

I love the music of these words (especially in older translations), and I love the hope they convey. The words move me even more when I actually picture people chanting them as they literally ascend the mountain called Zion. In ancient Israel the actual land was considered more holy with each step one took toward Jerusalem. The dust of the street inside the sheep gate was more holy than the dust of the road in the valley. The marble pavement of the women’s court was more holy than the street. And the inner sanctuary, behind the thick veil, was the holiest place of all.

This morning, I’m praying that my life will be a song of ascent. That every step I take on the mundane road of daily living will become holier and holier until I somehow reach the glory of God’s presence. That every thing I experience in life will become a verse of the song. That every moment will bring me closer and closer to Him. Even on a Monday.

Selah.