I am a songwriter. The Lord has buried within my heart an intense need to create music. He patiently and expertly guided my steps as I grew, before I even knew my calling as a songwriter, to position me for both excellent training in music theory, and excellent training in performance and creativity. Before I even knew HIM, He was preparing me to give songs of adoration back to Him.
Not a moment goes by that there is not a melody in my head or on my lips. Not a minute passes that I am not aware of the music around me or in my body. My prayer is that the Lord would fill me continually with new songs of praise. My desire is not to perform, it is to worship the only One worthy of worship. My heart is that the music He gives me would cause others to know Him, and would help others to grow in intimacy with Him. He is calling me to give others new songs of praise.
And so I write. Scratch that....and so WE write.
Some songs I have to work hard at. I edit and change, edit and change... Alter lyrics, chord structures, melodic progressions. I work at it. I feel satisfied when they're done.
Some songs just come. A matter of mere minutes pass and they're complete...lyrics, melody, chord structure...I even immediately hear the full orchestration in my head. These are moments of intense closeness to the Lord as He breathes these songs into my heart. These are my most favorite times with Him. Incredibly romantic, incredibly profound, incredibly humbling. I feel....in awe when these songs are done.
I know that the Lord is calling me to share this music, and so I am preparing, in obedience. But I sometimes wonder... You know how there are certain songs which you hear, or which you sing corporately in worship, which immediately click with your spirit, or which immediately draw you to the foot of His throne? What is it about songs that do that for you? Which songs take you there, and why is it that they do? As a new-ish songwriter, under a heavy burden from the Lord to create songs which usher in His presense, I wonder this sometimes... Though I know that He is the Creator, the Inspirer, the greatest Songwriter there is, I know that He often sits back and watches me as I use the talents, gifts and training that He's gifted me with...He doesn't always just write them for me.
I'd love your input about your most treasured worship moments, your favorite worship songs, and your thoughts about what it is that makes certain songs "Insta-Worship" songs (thanks Lynn for that fitting description!)
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:3)
7 comments:
What takes me "there" is when something in the words or music gives expression to that which my soul wants to communicate. Two examples:
1) "Refuge" This song says 1,000 things my spirit has cried for years. These 1,000 things intensify the more I know the Lord. He is my only source of joy, but I can't really describe what I feel. Nothing can shake my faith or take me from God's hand. His inexplicable peace surrounds me when peace is nowhere to be seen. I take shelter in Him in good times and bad, rarely trusting people, but always trusting Him (and generally, Him in His people). I could go on and on.
2) "Unto the Lamb" The message of this song is simple and essentially echoes Scripture passages that give voice to our praise. What's more is that I feel my spirit soar through the opening ethereal minor suspensions and major resolutions. I feel resolute when the key settles and the chorus begins. The harmonies excite me and run toward the Lord with the same intensity that I feel inside (not just emotionally). It's like speaking in tongues, but not. There's something private, precious, and unspeakable, yet my spirit screams out in praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
If a song has either of these components, then you can bet it will be in my internal worship profile. If it has both, then you can fully expect to see me ignoring the world and worshiping with any expression I can find at the time. Think, in addition to the two songs above, "Facedown," "Revelation Song," "Jesus," "The River is Moving" (if that's what it's really called), "In the Presence of Jehovah," "Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion," "Ain-a That Good News," etc.
For what it's worth, I'm not half the songwriter you are, but I resonate with what you wrote. You're always an encouragement that way. We need to visit soon, have coffee in big mugs, and talk about this for awhile.
Mmmmm...coffee in big mugs and chats about the Lord and music. So good!
Andrew and I were recently talking about this (and are thinking of doing a partnered sermon together on it – the music and theology, the spirit and the truth. etc. etc. etc.) and how some songs just have it – they take our breath away, they resonate with us in a very personal way, they say the words we were never able to express, they free us up to just ‘giver ‘er’. Sometimes we sing songs and say, “ I bet nobody even knows, or can figure out, what they are singing about”
What drives it home for me: and when I am most easily fully immersed in worship is when there is the balance of spirit & truth all intertwine together in one song – and you are able to see it, apply it, acknowledge & praise him, and surrender again all in one feeling. A good indicator of that for me is if I can take away the music and the words are melodic on their own– they say something and just don’t rhyme or sound like good church talk. And vise versa – if I can remove the words and find worship in the chords and melody alone. The words and music have to balance each other out – they have to ‘say’ the same thing. Do the words take me where the music is going?
I personally am so annoyed by ‘chritianese’ talk, words, & phrases. (Something I am currently trying to figure out if it’s valid or just an attitude problem) So I am really turned off by worship songs that are full of christianese lines- and there are some!! I’m drawn to songs that say it like it is.
Then there are the times that a song hits home b/c of a particular situation I’ve gone through or am facing. ‘Blessed be Your Name’ is one of those songs for me. It can make my heart skip a beat and lose a breath, bring me to the brink of tears, and lift me to a place a complete praise and rejoicing. It’s got biblical truth to it, and (relatable) personal words to it. A good balance.
P.S. I associate big mugs with the Rhyno’s too!! J (That and butterscotch coffee)
Good topic. I think there are 3 ways that songs have provoked 'insta-worship' for me
1. If the song boldly declares a truth that goes against the grain of society, it has potential to create insta-worship for me, especially if the rest of the congregation of believers is participating fully in the worship
2. If the song speaks directly to a situation I'm going through. I remember the time of most intense worship at BBC, for me, was a simple repetition of the song "the lord is gracious and compassionate". At that time I going through a time of deep repentance in my life and it hit home.
3. Sometimes, the beauty of an instrumental part in a song can do it for me. For example, in the worship song "in Christ alone" I am always moved by the instruments at the transition to the resurrection.
Now, if a song speaks a truth boldly, is highly applicable, AND has a powerful instrumental section, it will quite likely produce not only 'insta-worship,' but also a memorable worship experience
thank you for this post. I am so pleased to hear of your passion. I would love to have your song writting abiblities. I am a singer. I just love to sing. I could sing of his love, and grace and mercy and all his attributes forever. Thank you to you who are a writter on behalf of those who can only sing.
A song that brings me to his feet or to raise my hands or into adoration is one of simplicity and one that brings us back to the basics, the heart of the matter. One that says it all in a matter of minutes so that it's not a bunch of stumbling on words trying to get it out...what we are trying to say. One that couldn't be better put if our spirit wrote it ourselves.
Good thoughts...thanks guys.
I have so much on my heart about this, obviously, simply because of how the Lord created me. But one simple, yet overwhelming truth about the songs that cause me to be in "insta-worship" mode is the song's focus. I find that many contemporary worship songs speak more about the worshiper than the Lord...experiential or testimonial songs, I guess you would call them. Some of these songs are great, I even write a lot of these kinds of songs.
But no songs take me so quickly to the Throne Room as songs which solely lift up the Lord simply for who He is, rather than for what He's done in or for me. For me, these exemplify "Insta-worship".
For me, these are songs like "Your Name" and "Revelation Song". They simply describe the Lord, and pour out who He is. I love that. On top of that, the simplicity of the lyrics and the chord structure make me feel like they are coming easily from my inner being right at the moment. Though I LOVE complex music, sometimes the bare essentials are my absolute favorite in moments with the Lord.
My oher favorite thing when it comes to songs of Worship...Scriptural lyrics. Simple scripture set to beautiful melodies makes my spirit SOAR. So good!!
Elizabeth, what a great topic. And how humbly you seek wisdom in using your gift to glorify God. . . its beautiful! I think what you said about songs being about our Lord and not "me" songs rings so true. So much of popular Christianity is focused on what God can do for me. Recently, for both Joshua and I, songs that focus on the gospel, and character of our God brings us immediately into His presence. When I sing about the cross, and all that Christ has done I am humbled, in awe of my savior, and praise overflows in my soul.
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