The Christian music industry has exploded with a multitude of gifted composers, lyricists and music artists. You’ve probably noticed the abundance of recordings when you start searching for a new song to sing.
As you know, we can find a song on almost any subject – encouragement, walking with the Lord, the stresses of life, fear, trusting in the Lord. And, there are always songs specific to Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and even Independence Day. It can almost be overwhelming to narrow down a song choice, can’t it? Well, that is what I’d like for us to talk about. Let’s talk about how to choose the right song.
However, I want to give you another thought on that subject. Let’s say you’ve been scheduled to sing the special music on an upcoming Sunday. Have you chosen the song you will sing yet? If not, I’d like to encourage you to purposefully choose a worship song. Choose a song that focuses on the Lord, His character, His attributes, and His worth. Choose a song that focuses on the Lord, not on man.
There are so many worship songs available from which to choose. I believe as musicians we should continually focus the hearts and minds of those to whom we are ministering on the Lord Jesus. There are many songs with the words “I” and “me” filling the lyrics. There’s nothing wrong with that. We are a desperate people in desperate need of our Savior, and those songs can declare that truth. However, our lives should be about Jesus.
Recently, I heard it said in reference to the Bible that God is the Author, and Jesus is the subject, the main character. We aren’t. Let’s purposefully reflect that in our music. 1 Chronicles 16:29 says, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” (ESV)
Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Singers, I want to encourage you to apply these verses to your music and take the time to purposefully choose a worship song for your next scheduled special music.
Truth be told, life is hard. But, when we put our focus and our praise on the Creator of life, the things of this earth begin to dim and fall into the shadows. We put ourselves in the right perspective to the Lord as we ascribe to His Name all blessing and honor and glory. Let the fruit of your lips, the music that comes from your lips, be praise to Jesus.
Let’s encourage each other as we choose our songs. I’d love to hear what song you choose for your next special music, a song that ascribes to the Lord the glory due His Name. Because it’s not about us.