Sometimes the Lord smacks you upside the head. A solid backhand slap. I've heard super-christians call it a "gentle whisper" or a "stirring" from the spirit. I'll call it exactly how it felt.
I'm driving down the freeway and a put in a worship album I had just stolen from my dads office (thanks dad). After about three songs of singing loudly in the car I suddenly can't keep my crap together. Not because musically it's the best, or it's my favourite artist with the butter smooth vocals, or the lyrics new or clever. I'm weeping in my car on the way to school because my soul has been dry, crying out for some truth. With one push of a button I had people singing scripture to me telling about His amazing promises and pouring out truth on me.
Oh God of power, living Word
The One who made the stars
Who with Your glory filled the earth
From dust made beating hearts
You loved us when we fell away
Poured mercy on our souls
And promised grace would come to save
To loose death’s iron hold
Oh God of promises fulfilled
The God who took on flesh
Who did all that the Father willed
Was humbled unto death
You bore our cross of sin and shame
Endured our agony
With gladness we now bear Your name
And worship at Your feet
Oh God, who surely guides our steps
Through tempests and through trials
Our Shepherd King, Your way is best
Though tears now veil our eyes
Your steadfast love, our perfect hope
Our eyes are fixed on grace
We have no doubt You’ll lead us home
To finally see Your face
So after this backhand slap I started thinking, and here is what I came to...
I love music, I love catchy melodies, and clever lyrics, and moody arrangements. Every morning the National wakes me up, and most nights Beck puts me to sleep. Friday's are special days full of T-Swift and Katy Perry. My car has become a radio station hub that plays the latest and the greatest.
But here is the crazy thing- if you've ever been exposed to "that kind of christian" you've been warned. You know the older man that is warning you against the "dangers" of "worldly" music? Turns out he might be crazy legalist in many ways, but he just so happened to stumble on a extreme version of a valid problem, but came to the horribly wrong solution.
My car ride to school wasn't me just "being emotional" or "having a hard day" yesterday was actually a great day. Yesterday, in my car was the Lord breaking through something as silly and non-important as music and saying, "Hey, I have something for you in this."
I haven't gone full legalist on you I promise. But I've decided for the rest of Summer I'm only listening to Christian music (sans the Beck concert I already have tickets for). I never thought I would say those words. I figure on the days I get so tired of it (and I will) I can pray or memorize scripture. I think the time spent in my car which is a good portion of my day, is a time that the Lord is claiming as His. If worship music can prep and prime my heart to see and look for what Christ is doing around me then it's well worth the listen.
Something to think about?
I had the same realization one morning back before the girlies were born (in another lifetime, when I woke up and put actual work clothes on, vs my usual yoga pants these days! ;) ). I would wake up, pop in my earbuds full of upbeat music and go for my run, then turn on the TV for mindless entertainment while I prepped breakfast, after which I tuned into the radio en route to work...and there was nothing inherently wrong with my routine, but one day I decided to "redeem my commute" by praying instead of listening to the radio...and when I ran out of things to say to the Lord, I took the time to be still before Him. It was supposed to only be for a month or so, but it was so refreshing to have that dedicated time, it ended up being my new routine!
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