There has been an ongoing discussion in our churches regarding music for the past several decades. There is a group of people that want the old- time, tried and true hymns as they used to be sung. Another group of people wants the contemporary music that can bring some upbeat rhythms to the hymns and also leads to newer songs or choruses. Then, we also have a group that wants the music to sound like you’re at a rock concert. Which one is right?
I have such a love for the music I learned growing up. The classic hymns. In fact, I sang them to my children as I rocked them and now to my grandchildren. There are so many stories and testimonies that are a part of those songs. The messages for most of them are great.
Back in the early to mid-90s, we were serving at a church in Southeast Texas that started introducing us to music with an orchestra, drums and guitars, contemporary worship music and choruses. Well, I didn’t think it sounded right. I didn’t like it. Why in the world were we trying to change things. So, as a pastor’s wife, who loves to sing, I stopped singing if we were going to sing like this. Then about a year or so later, we were serving in a church in North Texas. I was having to listen to this again and again. I was longing for the good old music. So, again, I wouldn’t sing. What is the problem here? Why can’t we sing the way I like to sing?
But then, God! He convicted my heart and I became broken. Not broken because of the music, but because of my heart. I was waiting in line to pick up my children after school. On the radio I heard this chorus “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving I’ll be a living sanctuary for You”. This chorus played a few times, over and over again. I began to weep. The Lord had convicted me at that very moment. I began to realize that it didn’t matter what I sang, but how my heart was conditioned. Wow! What a revelation that was. I had to confess that worship wasn’t about me, my style or what I liked, but about Him.
A couple of years later I was diagnosed with cancer. During that time I came to realize that music was a lifeline for me. I would sing so much as I would struggle with not feeling well. The choruses, hymns and songs of memory would bring such comfort to me.
As much as I love hymns, and I really do, I have found that I love much more music than I could have imagined. Some of these new songs and choruses come straight from God’s word. “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee” is straight from Psalm 42:1. How can I as a Christian say I won’t sing that? It is God’s Word.
I have now fallen in love with all genres of church music. I truly believe that we should enter worship with a reverence for Holy God, but if the message is scriptural, then I can no longer argue with it. There are some great artists that God is using to convey His message to a captivated audience. I know many people would agree with me that we all have our favorite style and songs. However, we are to be a living sanctuary that reflects Christ in all things.
If I don’t sing in a worship service, what does that say? Does it reflect my heart? Could I cause someone to stumble because I’m not worshipping? I don’t want to be a hindrance to worship but rather a part of worship. After all, worship is about my Lord and King.
So today I would ask you, what are you missing in worship? Do you go to church expecting to encounter Jesus? Does God need to prepare your sanctuary so you get the best out of worship?
I am so thankful that God convicted me the way He did. Because of my stubbornness I would have missed out on a lot of wonderful blessings in song. What is your favorite music or song? I would love to know!
Fun fact: We were on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem and heard different groups singing and praising with choruses and in different languages. Such a beautiful thing! Can you imagine what Heaven will be like?