If you sing in the shower I think I know the reason why. You are hardwired for music. Music is a gift of God, one of the chief ways to praise Him, and an essential way we "preach the gospel to ourselves" (click here for more on this important discipline).
Paul highlights the important role of music in strengthening our relationship with Christ in a letter to some Christian friends:
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:15-16
"The word of Christ" may be understood as the words spoken by Jesus, but more likely Paul was referring to the word about Jesus -- the gospel message. One of the implications of the gospel is that the grace of Jesus is greater than any mess up, hang up, or failure in my life. I am reminded of that important truth every time I listen to the song, "Greater," by the group Mercy Me:
Bring your tired Bring your shame Bring your guilt Bring your pain Don’t you know that’s not you’re name You will always be much more to me
Every day I wrestle with the voices That keep telling me I’m not right But that’s alright
‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed When others say I’ll never be enough And greater is the One living inside of me Than he who is living in the world
Every time I fall There’ll be those who will call me A mistake Well that’s ok
There’ll be days I lose the battle Grace says that it doesn’t matter ‘Cause the cross already won the war He’s Greater He’s Greater
I am learning to run freely Understanding just how He sees me And it makes me love Him more and more He’s Greater He’s Greater
I need that message spoken to me, but I also need it sung to me. Why? Maybe it is because truth put to music travels to places that truth put into a spoken message cannot. So I have played that song over and over again -- each time its message soothes my soul and washes off the lies that stain my heart and disrupt my peace. Listen to it and I think you will see why "Greater" has become my new favorite song.
Yes, my sin is great, my failures are many, and there are days I feel like just giving up, but I'm okay -- the One living inside of me is greater than all of that. He will see me through. I'm resting in that truth today -- how about you?
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:14 ESV
Put it into practice:
Yesterday we began a new series at Spanish River entitled, Growing Healthy Families. We saw what it meant to be gospel-centered and the amazing implications for any family. One way to help anchor your family to the truth of the gospel is through music. Here are few outstanding songs that can redirect your heart and your family to the truth of the gospel of Jesus. Just click on the song to get the video or audio: