I really love this. I love all kinds of music, and music is often the thing that we use to carry us through hard times. I don’t think that’s an accident. God sometimes carries us through the gift of music. Music soothes the savage beast, and it can lead us in worship, inspire us, motivate us, or calm us in troubled times. And I wonder, why do we put God in a box? If we are made in his image and we find joy in music, doesn’t he find joy in music too? Scripture seems to indicate this, as you so aptly wove into your narrative. I recently went to a Summer Worship Nights concert, and it genuinely felt like a little slice of heaven. 13,000 people all with hands raised in worship of a living God. I get so frustrated by social media comments penned by Christians who bash Christian musicians, claiming that their lyrics or songs aren’t worthy or holy enough. Too many modern day Pharisees who want to impose their rules and cast doubt. Only God knows the heart. And I don’t believe he only inhabits “Christian” music. As I took my girls to a recent ELO concert, I pondered how God shows up in “secular” music. Those classic tunes hold a special place in many a heart, and the love and comradery in the audience was palpable. There is community in music, and I believe God loves it when his children are happy, joining together with joyful hearts. He was there. Thank you, Shane, for your perspective and brilliant writing. Your lectures, books, and essays always make me think of things with a new and fresh perspective, and I appreciate it so!
I met a pastor once who said music did not matter to him at all. Yet in every thing the worship team did he always had an opinion. Music matters. The rhythm of life is in the song of creation from day one. Can you imagine the sound of God making something from nothing. That sound resonates in our creation as God knits us in the womb. God bless, Shane, thank you for waking that thought.
I really love this. I love all kinds of music, and music is often the thing that we use to carry us through hard times. I don’t think that’s an accident. God sometimes carries us through the gift of music. Music soothes the savage beast, and it can lead us in worship, inspire us, motivate us, or calm us in troubled times. And I wonder, why do we put God in a box? If we are made in his image and we find joy in music, doesn’t he find joy in music too? Scripture seems to indicate this, as you so aptly wove into your narrative. I recently went to a Summer Worship Nights concert, and it genuinely felt like a little slice of heaven. 13,000 people all with hands raised in worship of a living God. I get so frustrated by social media comments penned by Christians who bash Christian musicians, claiming that their lyrics or songs aren’t worthy or holy enough. Too many modern day Pharisees who want to impose their rules and cast doubt. Only God knows the heart. And I don’t believe he only inhabits “Christian” music. As I took my girls to a recent ELO concert, I pondered how God shows up in “secular” music. Those classic tunes hold a special place in many a heart, and the love and comradery in the audience was palpable. There is community in music, and I believe God loves it when his children are happy, joining together with joyful hearts. He was there. Thank you, Shane, for your perspective and brilliant writing. Your lectures, books, and essays always make me think of things with a new and fresh perspective, and I appreciate it so!
Thanks so much for sharing your heart and insights, Deanna. They really are a delight to me :)
I met a pastor once who said music did not matter to him at all. Yet in every thing the worship team did he always had an opinion. Music matters. The rhythm of life is in the song of creation from day one. Can you imagine the sound of God making something from nothing. That sound resonates in our creation as God knits us in the womb. God bless, Shane, thank you for waking that thought.
I love the image you surfaced friend. Indeed, the sound of "God making something from nothing" simply sings :)