One of my biggest hang-ups about worship is that it’s cheesy. I long for more depth and complexity in the songs. They’re often trite and predictable. I long for authenticity and not just the sing-songy melodies that always seem to accompany worship songs.
And yet, I’m finding that sometimes those songs fit perfectly.
A few months back, I went to a funeral for one of my residents. I shared recently that I work in a retirement facility, and one of the sad parts of the job is the unavoidable death. I sat in one of the back pews with a co-worker, and I realized too late that I had neglected to bring tissues. She fumbled through her purse and found two. I tried to ration it, knowing I only had one for the entire service. The thing was soggy within two minutes.
Family members stood up and shared stories, while a slide show set to music showed my resident in her earlier years. A nephew stood up, acoustic guitar in hand, and performed “I Can Only Imagine,” a song that I feel has been vastly overdone. Suddenly, it was no longer cheeseball. It fit perfectly.
A church employee stepped to the piano and performed a beautiful rendition of a Chris Tomlin song. Chris Tomlin, although a good musician and songwriter, is one of the most overplayed Christian artists, in my opinion. Therefore, I usually roll my eyes when his songs are done. Yet, once again, at this memorial service, it fit perfectly and even brought more tears to my eyes.
Christian and worship music is cheesy. I’m finding that sometimes it’s okay. Sometimes the simple, cheeseball songs bring comfort that is desperately needed.
Question: Has there ever been a time when a song you thought was cheesy or overrated was suddenly perfect?
We went to Veggie Tales Live yesterday with my 2 and half year old. There are some Veggie Tale tunes that I think are just boring and overdone. But once my daughter started clapping, singing and jumping with excitement, the songs just fit. She LOVED it. I could help but smile and enjoy it too.
There’s just something about kids that takes the cheese out of cheeseball.
I’ve noticed the same thing with I Can Only Imagine. I normally roll my eyes, when it starts, but find some comfort in the words by the time it’s over. But in those moments, the song stops being cheesy, and becomes comforting, familiar. Strange how the timing can make all the difference in the world.
It really can. And sometimes I probably just need to stop being so cynical.
Amazingly, there have been times I felt the same way about traditional hymns……..but in the right situation, I can STILL be moved by Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. Perhaps we shouldn’t overdo ANY songs! it’s not Chris Thompson’s fault his music is overplayed…….or Beyonce’s or Lady Gaga for that matter.
Very true. I’m sure no artist sets out thinking, “Gee, I hope they play this song to death.”
I’ve learned lately that what I feel is cheesy syrupy may be perfect for some, not everyone is me, so how could every song that works for me work for everyone?
Some people love brussel sprouts, try as I may I just can’t like em, but I know that I should, right? But I don’t so I will stick to my asparagus.
So now I just embrace the diversity of the world and of worship and go “well, not my fav, but biblically accurate, and Susie seems into it, so I’ll just breathe and enjoy the community praising around me.”
What a great way to look at it. I’ve learned that as well. Songs that I can’t stand is someone’s favorite, and songs that I love someone else hates.
You should try brussel sprouts sauteed in olive oil and Mrs. Dash. Or baked. Yummy. If they’re all mushy they are pretty gross. 🙂