Chapter 7

Empty Words

I was listening to music today. Usually I only get to do that when I am in the car, and even then it's usually kid friendly Joe Scruggs, Go Fish, or VeggieTales. I'm not complaining mind you. There are some great fun and peppy songs that I love to listen to, especially VeggieTales. But have you ever noticed the words to a lot of songs these days? Even Christian music?

There are a lot of people, Christian people, that don't like to listen to Christian music. I agree with most of their reasons, but I do it for the "wholesomeness." I like to listen to adult music every once in awhile, and Keith isn't the "kiddie" music kind of guy. So we have compromised and we listen to Christian music. I wish, sometimes, that there were more people like Derek Webb. He is one of those Christian artists that actually says something in his lyrics. I feel convicted when I listen to him. There are too many songs out there that are geared to make us feel better about the life that we are trying to live. They send us encouraging messages, don't get me wrong. I just don't get anything past a pat on my back sometimes.

I learned not too long ago that a song really gets to my heart when it reminds me of the cross. Notice this next time you listen to the radio, or the songs at church. The "la la las" are great, but in order for us to remember the goal that Christ has set before us, don't we need to remember what He did? Isn't that the point? I don't mind being reminded that He loves me, in fact I need to hear it frequently, but I want to see the cross every where that I go. I need that. So many artists leave the cross and sometimes Christ out if their songs entirely. I realize that there are just so many songs that they can't ALL have the same meaning behind them. And a good portion of them have great stories and touch me deeply. I have loved Casting Crown's Masquerade song for the longest time. That song doesn't mention the cross, but the meaning is one that I agree with entirely.

I am only saying this: If we don't tackle some of the issues that this world, including us, are facing, then the good feeling I get cuz Jesus loves me, is only letting me stay in the same place I was yesterday, not the moving I need to do to get closer to Him. A little help might be nice, occasionally.