- When I was little (back in the 70s) The Bee Gee's were BIG. I'm talking B I G! One of my very first albums came with a shiny new orange record
player at Christmas. It was beautiful and the music it was what I knew. And it was what I sang. I was BIG! I was in concert in my room, in front of a mirror with a brush and I was going to be famous! I could sing How Deep Is Your Love better than any of those guys on the record, however am able to admit today that I truly did need their back up vocals. We were after all a Rock Band, I wasn't a solo artist.
Today, I've ditched the Bee Gees and the hair brush for a much more upscale venue. My car. Well, mostly my car. I turn up the radio (as loud as I want) and I find my back up singers via radio or my ipod selection. This way I'm able to choose the music for my mood and if I bore with what I'm hearing its a quick flip and I'm onto another band and another concert. I'm certain there have been (are) people that see me in my car and wonder just how good I am, because I'm telling you right here, right now. When I sing, it's on! I'm there to enjoy the music, to be moved and to jam baby! My children, they love LOVE to sing as well. They received my beautiful gift of not having any kind tune to carry and yet, not really care. Charlie Mae also has the blessing of not really caring how the back up singers sing, she will make up her own words as she goes along and if they mess up, so be it. Just because they wrote the song - doesn't always mean they get it right. My favorite is "I'm just sitting down here washing airplanes go byyyy" *NOTE: It actually is "I'm just sitting down here watching airplanes go by" It cracks me up every time and drives the boys in our house insane.
So there are times at church when I get a little "into it" and I lose sight of the fact I am in a church full of people, some who really can sing! And sometimes I also lose focus and make up my own words. I'm okay with that. Those around me, well they are very tolerant! I've always said "I hope that what I'm singing comes out of my mouth as I hear it in my head and into other ears as an angel" Apparently not, because my husband has mentioned, I'm not that good. (gasp) He was kind about it. I wanted to ask do you know how many concerts I've done? HA!
Music can be an awesome vessel for sharing Jesus. At work I listen to KLOVE radio streaming through my computer. It isn't loud and for the sake of my co-worker I do not typically sing (too much) with the music. Although on occasion I find I am singing and don't realize it. Most people don't really know what I'm listening to, they hear "good music" and move on. Some will inquire and ask. And there are some who stop in the office and in the background they hear it and I'm just gonna say it makes me smile SO BIG when they stop and listen and ask "Is that KLOVE?" or "Is that Christian Music?" with a smile. YES IT IS!
Having Christian music playing on my computer has offered a number of blessings. First and foremost, I'm filled with positive and encouraging words - all day, every day as it plays. This provides a great foundation when you do have a day that has a kink in it, you are able to roll with it a little better because your attitude is much more balanced - you've been filling yourself with good, kind, uplifting, encouraging God blessed messages. Those big bangs in your day, are more like those poppers you drop on the ground on the fourth of July. Not a big deal, a little YIKES and movin' on.
Another blessing in listening to Christian music is the opportunity it provides for conversation. At work, I've been blessed time and time again with co-workers who know the songs, so they know I'm listening to Christian music and it opens up opportuniy to share with one another. In this sharing, I've come to pray with co workers, share devotionals with co workers, linked to a prayer partner and shared my own experiences which has led to finding a church home of their own. CHRISTIAN MUSIC has opened doors with others as well outside the office. When I have friends who are not church goers, who don't have a clue about "church music" they are none the wiser when they come to my desk or get in my car. I'm filling them with positive, God radiated love and they don't even know it! They just know I've got great taste in music! I carpool kids to school in the morning, it warms my heart BIG when my daughter starts singing. And it warms my heart too when the kids ask "can we listen to that one song" - which is a Christian song. Ohhhh how God speaks through music! How He moves our souls. How He uses it to be glorified.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break
forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4
God is awesome! I love that through music I'm being allowed to vessel His message, His love, His encouragement to others. To share without my voice, and yet remain a vessel for His amazing unconditional words. I may not be in concert, but I'm part of a pretty gig!
SIDE NOTE: When I was a child, I was certain that some day I would grow up and I would sing, with a band, solo or at least in the church choir. I'm pretty sure I would have had an awful vanity about it and God is doing me (and you) a favor by using me to share through others musical talent. Does that stop me from concerts in my car? Absolutely not... I make a joyful NOISE! And isn't that all God desires? There isn't a stipulation that it has to be pretty - Thank You Jesus ; )