Sometimes we can get into the country club mentality at church. Better programs for us. Better peripheral services for us. Outreach? We don't have enough volunteers for that! Missions? Maybe 2% of budget. We take the light of Christ within us and hide it in the basket known as the church. Or in some instances the church is more concerned about politics than salvation. Or about selling prosperity wrapped in piety. The key verses spell it out for us very plainly. People on the outside of salvation are looking to put their trust in something. They are seeking like we once were. They feel the harshness of this world and desperately need a savior. They need something to trust. They need to hear a song of hope. They need to hear a song of grace. They need to hear a song of the love of Jesus Christ. What song will they hear when they meet you?
Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD; it is fitting for the pure to praise him. Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. -- Psalm 33: 1-5 (NLT)
Will they hear the old blues songs of your past? Will they hear about how big the giants are that you face? Will they see someone who is having trouble fitting Christ into their lives or someone who has made their life to be about Christ? Will they hear that new song on your lips? The song about how great God is in your life. The song about how since He has already delivered you from the mouth of the lion and the paw of the bear that this giant in front of you doesn't stand a chance! Will they hear the new song about the land God has promised to you or the old one about the wilderness you can't find your way out of? Many will see what He has done in your life beloved. Many will see and believe. And because you choose to sing the new song of praise to the God who deserves all praise, they too will put their trust in the Lord. That was the design of God. We are His witnesses and our testimony is the new song for the world to hear.
Now saved for over ten years I still love a good blues tune. I still love the creative guitar work and the haunting lyrics. They just no longer have anything to do with my life. I appreciate them for their sound and creativity but feel no connection to them in my walk. Because God has given me a new song and there is nothing "blue" about it. Praises to His glorious name!
Reverend Anthony Wade -- March 23, 2012
