Gospel Music: Marveling in His Story

We sit in the loge seats at the Aronoff Center waiting for the champion competition to begin in the Gospel category at the World Choir Games.  After listening to the end of the open competition we prepare to just take in the experience of the games.  

I turn toward my mom and say, “I’m glad that even though we missed most of the first set of choirs, the one we did hear was made up of people we knew.  I didn’t expect that and it was kind of fun.” 

She nods assent and I continue.  “I’m not really sure that “gospel” singing is my style.  That’s probably strange since we’re at the gospel competition.  I really do like the words, but I’m not sure that I care for much more. I’m glad we’re here, but I kind of wish that I’d pre-bought a pass to hear the show choirs tomorrow.  They’re all sold out now.  I do love a good show tune.”

As I say all this, I realize it is a little ironic telling my mother all this, since she sings in a gospel choir.  However, she just nods kindly, without judgment; and we talk about her choir’s performance at the downtown mall, the day before.  They sang for one of the World Choir Games’ Friendship Concerts.  

Soon, a couple comes out to welcome all the gathered people to the competition.  They announce the choir that is walking onto the risers in black and shimmery gold, behind them, and tell us of their song selection.

Mom and I settle back in our seats and listen as the keyboard plays and voices begin to shout at randomly spaced intervals.  “Ow.”  It’s like their voices are doing these little leaping praises. 

“This is a bit odd,” I think.

Then, they really begin to sing. 

And their words, they capture me, as they sing to a very catchy tune.

“We lift our hands in the sanctuary.

We lift our hands to give you the glory.

We lift our hands to give you the praise.

And we will praise you for the rest of our days.

Yes.  We will praise you for the rest of our days.”

So, as they stop to shout their praise again, mid-song, it no longer seems awkward.  It is a joyful noise unto the Lord and my insides are leaping in praise right alongside their voices. 

As the song comes to an end and the clapping of the audience is all around me, I offer up an “Amen” and wait curious to see what will come next. 

A young woman steps forward from the choir and picks up a microphone.  She begins to tell the creation story in a spoken musical sort of way.  She pauses and after a musical introduction, in which I can picture the Spirit of God hovering over the waters of the deep, the choir begins to sing this unfolding story of Genesis. 

As they sing, I can picture it happening—the word of God speaking in the deep voices of the young men and the burst of energy that creates something from nothing, as voices sing a line with speed, sending it back and forth across the voice ranges. 

It is beautiful.

It takes my breath away.

I marvel in His story.

It is this story that begins the Gospel.

I wonder how I could have ever thought that gospel music isn’t my style. 

It is His story that captivates my heart.

I’m riveted.

This is what happens to me when I really hear His story.

When this choir leaves the stage after their last two songs, I have been moved to tears.

I didn’t expect this.

Maybe I should have.  But I didn’t.

There are more choirs that follow. 

Musically, the sounds vary.  Some choirs sing fast and beat driven music, others sing slow and harmonious.   This doesn’t sound like gospel music to me…should it?  It is midway through the second choir when I begin to think that I don’t even really know what gospel music is.  

I keep listening.

The words of the South African girl’s choir stick with me:

“Born to die. 

Died only to rise again.

Rose only to live eternally.  […]

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.”

I think I begin to see it.

Gospel music shares the story.  It tells the story of the gospel…in song.

We hear choirs from around the USA and others from around the world—Germany, Canada, and South Africa.  I am reminded of the diversity of the body of Christ and smile. 

I hear God's story over and over again.  I listen to so many different brothers and sisters in Christ share different scenes in this story.  It is beautiful, the way they share the Good News. 

They each tell it in their own special way, each communicating the message that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.”

As I begin to process all this, I know I’m glad that I didn’t miss this. 

Show tunes are toe-tapping good.  But this…

This tells of the goodness of God and salvation for the world.

And this might just be the very best music after all.

Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; 
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.   Psalm 96:1-3 NIV

***

Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we sing of what the Lord has done and tell of His story to the world.  Whether it is by song or through our words may we bring glory to His name.

Jessica :)

A Paste List

A few weeks ago when Crossroads was going through a series, "The Backyard Gospel," I thought our pastor shared a very interesting idea when he talked about how he prays for his friends who are not believers. 

He has a “paste list.”

He, simply, writes their name on a list that he keeps on his bathroom mirror.  Each day as he spends time brushing his teeth, he prays that they might come to know the freedom that comes from relationship with Christ. 

He shared that he was beginning this practice again. 

He had to make a new list. 

Because his old list?  The people who were on it are all walking with Christ now.

This got me to thinking. 

How often do I pray for my friends who don’t know who Jesus is?

I used to pray right regular for them.  But lately, I confess I’ve not been very faithful.

I do believe prayer works. 

So why do I fail to make time for something that is this important—the lives of my friends?

I do care.  I want to faithfully pray them across the threshold of faith.

So, today, I made a paste list.

I like something pretty to look at, so I pulled out my scrapbook supplies.

I choose green cardstock for the new life I hope they will lead in Christ. 

I place on white a sticker with leaves that reminds me of the growth that comes when we walk with Him. 

I write in pen the words that Peter spoke to the Lord.

“We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” 

I want them to speak this too.  I want them to be disciples who follow Him, like Peter. Even though the walk will not always be easy.  Even though they might stumble. And even when others around them become deserters, as it was when Peter spoke it.

I write their names, dark print on light.  Each one of them loved ones.

I put tape on the back of this list and fix it to the mirror. 

  

So whenever I come or go from the bathroom I can pick a name and pray.  A new habit.

And I hope I will pray them right into the Kingdom.

***

Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we spend time lifting up the names of our dear ones who have yet to taste the goodness of the Lord.  May we be faithful friends in prayer and conversation.  May He draw them near—wooing and winning their hearts with His love.

Jessica :)

What We Proclaim

I’m reading through 1 John at present.  I like to read through the whole thing for context.  And I like to read through it slowly, a little bit at a time to allow the words to sink deep into my heart—hopefully thinking on them often, over days, and putting them into practice with my life.

I’ve been thinking about the first 4 verses of the book for a few weeks now.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched —this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”   1 John 1:1-4 (NIV)

The first thing that caught my attention was the language John uses. 

He writes “That which is from the beginning, that which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched.”  These are the different ways we experience the world.  John, as a disciple of Christ, had plenty of firsthand experience about Jesus to speak from.  When we have experienced something, we can speak about it in a way we couldn’t otherwise.  We understand it.  We have learned from it.  We know its value.

Another thing that caught my attention was that the phrase “we proclaim.”  It’s there two or three times depending on the translation you read.

So…what does it mean to proclaim?

The Greek word here is apangellō.  To declare or announce.  It basically means to share or make known.

And what is John making known?

He is making known that which he has heard, seen, looked at and touched about the Word of life--Christ. 



I know I've proclaimed this goodness before :)



This makes a lot of sense.  Don’t you think? 

We talk about the latest smart phone we have, telling others of the wonderful conveniences.  We share about the money we saved by switching from one company to another.  We proclaim the goodness of a new restaurant we tried or the amazingly huge chocolate chips in our favorite ice cream.  This works negatively as well.  We will warn people to stay away from a movie that we didn’t like or to avoid the highway construction by taking the faster detour.

So…really, we all proclaim something.



We proclaim because we can’t help it.  It just happens.  When we have experienced something that has made a difference in our lives, we share it with others. 

We also proclaim because in the midst of sharing we connect with others.  When we bond over things we share, there is a closeness that is present between us.

This is true in 1 John too.

John proclaims so those who receive his letter may have “fellowship.”

The word for fellowship in Greek is koinonia.  It means communion.

I like the way the Voice translation reads: “What we saw and heard we pass on to you so that you, too, will be connected with us intimately and become family.”

John wants communion—an intimate connection.  A family connection.  And this through Jesus.

Do you know that connection?  I do.

When I sit around the table laughing with my dear friends who know Jesus, I know this communion.  When I share my story of transformation or ask my sisters in Christ to pray for me when I am struggling, I know an intimate connection.  A family connection.  And this through Jesus.  

I want my friends who walk in relationship with Jesus to be brought closer to him.  And I want my friends who haven't heard of God's love to know this communion too. 

So…what is it we proclaim, each day?   

 Sometimes discipleship is proclaiming the way that we have been transformed by Christ.

Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we experience relationship with Christ and allow it to change us.  May proclamation be the natural response to God’s goodness.

Jessica :)