One of the questions I was asked when I assumed the worship leader position with ConnXions was, “As a musician, what role should music play in worship?” My response was simple: Music is a universal language, having been around since the beginning of time. Although the words may be different, and the styles may vary, music as a whole is still something that every human being can understand – and consequently respond to.
Think about when you were a child. Most children can remember nursery rhymes and lullabies such as “Pop Goes The Weasel,” or “Ring Around The Rosey.” Looking back, these songs seem pretty silly. They make no sense, and yet they are burned into our memories. Why is that? Simple: they elicited a response. As toddlers and preschoolers, these silly little songs often were accompanied by motions, dances, and more often than not, a lot of laughter. It didn’t matter that they were nonsensical songs; they made a lasting impression on us, and they made us feel something (in this case, happiness).
As we grew older, we all developed our own favorite songs. Some made you wanna jump up and dance. Others will made you cry on the spot. Some remind you of someone special to you. Many couples will designate a song as “their song.” All of these songs have something in common, yet again: they touched our emotions in some form.
Worship music takes on a similar effect: it is designed to touch us spiritually. It is a form of praise to God that can transcend denominations, doctrines, and bylaws. Simply put, worship music allows those partaking to simply say to God, “Lord, we praise You.” It doesn’t matter what your background, traditions, or convictions; music can reach into our very souls if we let it.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not just talking about “modern” worship songs. There are many hymns and “traditional” songs that also accomplish this. One of my all-time favorite songs is “It Is Well With My Soul.” I have had some truly memorable worship experiences with this particular song. Same goes for a song that we’ll be debuting this week, “All That I Am.” Again, music transcends time and traditions, and touches the heart directly.
A well-known Bible verse puts it best:
1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
– Psalms 100 (The Message)
Doesn’t get much clearer than that. We have been ordered to worship God by singing into His presence!
Let’s sing!!
ConnXions Worship Blog 