WORSHIP LEADERS
THANK GOD FOR MUSIC | Grant Norsworthy
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16( NIV)
If God created all things, then that’ s got to include music, right?
Melody, harmony, pitch, rhythm, tempo, groove, timbre, volume, tone, dynamics. All these elements that go to build the sound of music are from God.
So, if God created music, what did He create it for?
I’ d say that, like every good thing that God created, music was created to show His glory and to provide a“ portal” through which we can know Him better. So that we could use music to have deeper, better relationship with God and, in turn, with each other.
It’ s easy for me to forget God’ s original intention for music.
I can comfortably fall for the trap of thinking that music is just another commodity for me to use for my own selfish agenda. For personal, individual, sonic, creative, emotional gratification.
At times along my journey, I’ d say I have used music to make a statement of rebellion against my parents. I’ ve used music to try to be more popular. To express myself. To try to show off some of my skills. In an effort to procure compliments or the attention of others. To be seen as“ cooler” than I really am. I’ ve used music as an escape from my reality. To feel better about myself.
I’ ve spent a good chunk of my professional career using music to try to make money- at least enough to support the lifestyle I believed I deserved- and become well-known, recognized, popular and perhaps even to have some influence. I put a lot of time, energy, sweat and tears into trying to make music that I liked and present it in ways that I hoped would convince people- the audience- that they should agree with my opinion about the music I made. You should like the music that I like!
But it’ s only in more recent years that I have discovered that music is best used in ways that are in line with The Creator’ s original intention. Music is best used to facilitate connection between us created beings and our Creator.
We can make music to give ourselves a thrill. To entertain an audience. To fill a dance floor. To make people bang their heads. For applause. For a standing ovation maybe. To make people resonate with us emotionally. Think differently or want to start a riot. But surely, it’ s better to use music as a vehicle that warmly invites people to recognize the overwhelming, awesome worth of our Creator and God.
This can be done, I believe, by inviting people to listen to a musical performance. But, more commonly- and I think more powerfully- it’ s done by inviting those people to sing prayers to Him, praises of Him, declarations of truth about Him and encouragements to worship Him more fully.
But to me, the sound of music is at least as important as the words. God is in the sonic composition of the instrumentation too. Not just the lyrics. When the music is beautiful( I don’ t
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