Have you ever found your mood altered after exuberantly singing a favorite song? In worship, it’s more than a feeling at work when we’re singing captivating melodies and breathing out words dense with truth. Songs are felt thoughts – and they can literally change us.
| Photo by Tom Pumford on Unsplash |
God is my strength, God is my song, and, yes! God is my salvation.
Exodus 15:2 (The Message)
Reflection
The great lyricist E.Y. Harburg once said, “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.”
When it comes to the formative power of worship in the life of the Christian, no words ever rang more true.
The ability to mature as a disciple of Jesus can often seem to be more dependent on mastering our feelings than corralling our thoughts.
While both virtues are vital, and feed one another, it is usually a feeling – a gut resolve – that becomes the trip wire for the next good or bad decision.
Songs can shift a mood as a melody takes ahold of our minds. The singing of words can reorient us as the music compels us to fill our lungs with air and breath out the words shaped by very physical actions in our mouths.
Then, by singing a God song, our minds engage with yet-to-be-felt realities as our bodies resonate with the music – and truth has an opportunity to pounce on the lies slinking within.
Songs help us to feel thoughts, and feeling holy thoughts can fill us with fresh strength to live like Jesus.
In worship, a heavy heart can walk into a room burdened and fearful, and in a matter of minutes find itself hopeful and full of faith because of the simple power of a song.
Never minimize what happens when we lead people in worship. Inner revolutions are occurring all over the room, and songs are powerful ammunition for the fight.
A Prayer
God of Emotion, we thank you for the feelings that show us the fluctuations of our hearts within. Use us, and the songs we lead, to participate in the changes you are making in the lives of those we lead in worship. Help us to lead the songs in such a way that our community can sing them, breathe them, and feel them at work in their souls.
In Jesus’ melodic and moving Name,
Amen. +
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