I’m taking a blogging break in the month of December. During my break, I’m reposting some old blogs. This one originally appeared in May of 2012.
Music is passionate. It reaches to the depths of a person’s soul. More can be said through music than through mere words alone. Music speaks to people in ways that words or actions never could.
Music is powerful. It makes us relive certain moments in our lives, brings back memories that have laid dormant. It makes us play through imaginary scenes in our heads. I listen to some music and feel like I’m in a movie scene, dramatically acting out the character’s part in my head.
Music is emotional. It tugs at different emotions, depending on the sound. Major keys make us feel happy, at ease, like all is well with the world. Minor keys can make us feel sad, introspective, and moody. A diminished chord makes me feel like something is terribly, horribly wrong.
Music is a lot of things. I would hate to live in a world without music.
I believe all of this is why music is so closely related to worship. God gave us the gift of music, knowing that we could express so much through it, feel so much through it, and love so much through it.
You know what else music is? It’s dangerous.
Sometimes I wonder if we’re all just getting caught up in the emotions of the music, being manipulated to feel certain things that the music is supposed to make us feel. Is it really genuine? Or are we just getting swept up in the emotions that go along with it all?
Are we prepared to sing something so emotionally charged that, come Monday morning, in the silence and drudgery of life, we are not ready to live out?
I know that I have been guilty of getting swept away in the beauty of the music being played before me, and lost sight of what the music was supposed to be glorifying. It became all about the warm fuzzies and good feelings I got out of the song. I’m currently struggling with how to use the worship song for what it is; a tool to worship God with. The song and chords that make it up are not what my affection should be aimed toward.
Have you ever struggled with getting swept away in a song?
I agree that we should rely on emotionalism with the music. I mean so many churches argue over music and people seem to lag during the week when they don’t have their music. But still remember, God made us emotional beings and He uses whatever means He need to get us past our flesh. I get tired sometimes of people criticizing emotions as if they’re not valid. As long we stick to the Word, it should be okay. We need passion in our worship and it’s so hard when we don’t feel the passion. Somehow God helps us through those times. Have a great week and New Years. – JT
“I get tired sometimes of people criticizing emotions as if they’re not valid.”
Great statement. I hate when people dismiss what I’m feeling as nothing. I just know for myself, I tend to get “lost” in myself and my feelings if I’m not careful, and it’s not always a good thing.