God speaks to people in strange ways and in unique places. For Balaam, it was through a donkey. Moses, a burning bush. He came to Gideon under an oak tree.
For me, God spoke through a pair of headphones while I was pushing my John Deere lawnmower around the backyard last night.
Ok, maybe it wasn't God's audible voice, but I am convinced it was Him nonetheless.
As I was getting ready to go out to mow, I grabbed my iPhone from the charger, put in my headphones, and started out the back door. I looked at my music and selected one of my favorite albums, Chris Tomlin's See the Morning.
The past week has been a rough one in some ways. At times it has been exhausting. There have been moments of discouragement. I am not saying that life is bad right now, just that this week has seen it's share of down moments.
But as I listened to song after song, my spirits were lifted. Each song seemed to speak to my heart and as I sang along (what a sight this must have been for my neighbors) I could sense the presence of God.
Worship does that. God created us to be touched by music. I believe that He always intended for song to be an expressway to our soul. It was a gift to us. A gift to help us more fully express our love.
Sometimes we misuse our gift. We can allow the wrong things to jump on the expressway and enter into our soul.
I won't go into the details of how I believe music shapes us. I just blogged about that a few weeks back. But I was reminded yesterday evening that what we listen to drastically impacts us.
Like I have said before, I am not a legalist who thinks you should never listen to anything but Christian music. But we must exercise wisdom and caution as we make music selections. I don't think every song we listen to has to be a "happy, clappy" song. There are times for lament. Sorrow is a natural emotion. But what is the underlying message of the songs you are listening to?
David, the greatest songwriter in the history of God's people, wrote a variety of songs. The same man that wrote,
I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day;
yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness. (Psalm 145:1-3)
also wrote,
O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand? (Psalm 13:1-2)
The music you listen to doesn't have to be shallow or ignorant of the struggles of life. But at the same time, the lyrics we listen to should be consistent with our faith in God.
God reminded me last night that music matters. While the style isn't usually that important, the message absolutely is. Imagine if instead of listening to Let God Arise and Everlasting God, I had listened to the current top song on the American Top 40, Forever by Chris Brown:
It’s you
And me
Movin’ at the speed of light until eternity
Tonight
Is the night
To join me in the middle of ecstasy
Feel the melody
And the rhythm of the music around you (Around you)
Ima take you there (Ima take u there)
So don’t be scared
I’m right here baby
We can go anywhere (Go anywhere)
But first
It’s your chance take my hand
Come with me
It’s like I waited my whole life
For this one night
It’s gon be me you and the dance floor
‘Cuz we only got one night
Double your pleasure
Double your fun
And dance forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever on the dance floor
Feel like we’re on another level
Feels like our love’s intertwined
We can be two rebels
Breakin’ the rules
Me and you
You and I
All you gotta do is watch me (Watch me)
Look what I can do with my feet (My feet)
Baby, feel the beat in time
If only you could take the front seat (Front seat)
Just need u to trust me (Trust me)
Girl (girl) (girl)
It's like I...
It’s like I waited my whole life
For this one night (one night)
It’s gon be me you and the dance floor
‘Cuz we only got one night
Double your pleasure
Double your fun
And dance forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever ever ever
Forever on the dance floor
It’s a long way down
You’re so high off the ground
Sendin’ for an angel to break me apart
Girl where did you come from?
Got me so undone
Gaze in your eyes
Got me singing
What a beautiful lady
No if ands or maybes
I'm releasing my heart
It's feelin’ amazing
Theres no one else that matters
You Love me
But I won’t let you fall girl (Let you fall girl)
Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhhhhh Yeahhh
I won’t let you fall ( Let you fall Let you Fall)
O0ooooh Ohhhhh Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeahh
It's like
It’s like I waited my whole life
For this one night
It’s gon be me you and the dance floor
‘Cuz we only got one night
Double your pleasure
Double your fun
Just wondering which one would help me as I try to "do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God." (Micah 6:8)
shine!
Jason
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