I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice - oceans of it.
I want fairness - rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want.
Amos 5:21-24, The Message
I love contemporary worship music and I have lots of it, listen to it much of the time. But a few years ago when I was given the task of leading a praise team I was confronted with a reality of worship music that I hadn't noticed before, some songs used for worship, even some of the most popular songs didn't address God.
I don't mean that the songs weren't about God because they spoke of the goodness of God, but songs about God are different that songs sang to God. So I started paying attention. I also discovered that this wasn't just a problem of new contemporary worship songs, but was also true of many hymns. It's not uncommon (in these songs) to sing about God, proclaim characteristics of God, challenge people to sing for God, come to God but never speak directly to God.
In the book of Amos God calls it ego-music. It's music that makes us feel better, but doesn't do anything between us and God. And isn't that the purpose of most singing in worship, to draw us closer to God?
At least that's what God says. "When was the last time you sang to me?"
Listen carefully to the songs you sing today. Maybe it's time to change our tune so that we aren't singing for ourselves...
...but singing to God!
So Turn it around and turn it up...God's waiting and listening.
Peace ><>
pc
2 comments:
I really enjoy listening to many types of music for the message within.
I find it fun and enjoyable when I can take spiritual inspiration from a song that might have had a completely non-religious meaning in its conception.
I've even found Christian themes in Hindu religious rock songs.
I think when you're searching for answers or advice, God can answer in ways we don't conventionally think of. There are no barriers for Him except our own free will.
As to whether that is singing to God or once again making me feel good about myself... I don't know, maybe both?.
I like to think of it as two-way communication that incorporates praise. My side of that communication is not always singing (rarely if ever). Mine is the reverent and praising tone I discuss and seek advice with. It is genuine even though it is unspoken and strongly felt within.
When I hear a message within a song that hits me, I respond. There is a praise and acknowledgement that would be muffled if I were to sing vocally. Perhaps it is my own silent song to God of thanks and appreciation as well as a great amount of awe intertwined.
A lot of times when I sing songs of supposed praise I feel they are nice, but they don't make me "feel good" or like I'm praising anyone other than some old tradition that others felt was praising or rewarding.
This has veered off topic a bit, but I suppose I enjoy a sort of alternative worship when it comes to music. I don't think it is too uncommon though. Perhaps it is just another facet of worship music in general, or what worship music should be for us individually.
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