Yes. Simple answer. Even if I'm not good at it? Yes.
Chances are, if you subscribe to Livingston County Christian Musicians, you have some interest in music. Actually, chances are if you are human you have some interest in music. Music has spanned all cultures throughout time and has been the language of our emotions, the comfort to our souls and articulation of what we know and what we are unsure of.
But today, right now, 2018, does God have a plan to use music in my life and in my sanctification process? If so, am I aware of what that is? Do I know what He wants me to do with my gifts? Am I still to engage with music as a part of my Christian walk if I have limited musical gifts?
Lets begin with the masses, God's people, those who are redeemed. ALL are to sing. Over 50 times, the Bible commands us to sing. We, of course, are to sing to God, but we are also to sing to each other. Ephesians 5:19 says "speak TO one another with songs." Someone is using songs to speak, while the one they are speaking to, listens. This is a God given directive. Personally, I love this! I would almost always prefer to hear a message through song (maybe that is why I love musicals!)
Now, what to sing!!?? We have many options to choose from. There is no lack of songs to be sung. One of our hopes for this organization is to help point our community toward musicians who are gifted in writing songs that will be most beneficial to our community in providing music that will stir their affections for Jesus, reiterate sound theology and express the beauty of the Creator through skilled musicianship. Does this mean that unskilled musicians will still have a place in this experience? Absolutely!! ALL are to sing, remember? However, Biblically, there is a specific calling on skilled musicians, and the entire body of Christ will be blessed when they are exercising their unique gifting. It is a gifting given to them by Christ for His glory and the Body's edification.
Remember in Samuel 16 when Saul was tormented by a "harmful spirit from God"? His advisors knew that a skilled musician would be a comfort to Saul. Not only did that end up being true, but this skilled musician was the catalyst for sending the harmful spirit away. Saul was "refreshed"! Do you ever feel the need to be refreshed!? Consider a skilled musician as a spiritual gift, given by God for you and for your refreshment. How good is our God!? He has provided for our refreshment!
Skilled musicians were also called about to do literal battle....to lead the troops. As a skilled musician, this overwhelms me. And frankly frightens me. I would certainly make a case of Special Forces on the front lines, musicians in the rear. Ponder the implications of God's plan. Send the musicians ahead of all else? What must be happening in the unseen, yet clearly as real as the seen, world!?
So then, should we support skilled musicianship? It seems as though the case can be made that we most definitely should- especially if we want to be refreshed, if we want to battle harmful spirits and if we want to prepare for any other type of spiritual warfare as the people of God.
We are most blessed when we find skilled musicians who share the passion we do for equipping the masses to SING! If you have never been to a Keith and Kristyn Getty concert, you are in for a night of just that - skilled musicians, passionate about all singing! We anticipate a night of the county wide Body of Christ joining together. Maybe before considering the above content we would have not been aware of what a night like this would be about, but now we know as we gather, harmful spirits will be lifted. Do you know someone tormented by them, someone who needs to be refreshed? Do you need this? Bring them. Come and Sing! Are you longing to see your friends, family and neighbors saved for eternity through the blood of Jesus? Are you willing to do spiritual warfare on their behalf? Are you willing to sing to dispel the evil one who wants to seek, kill and destroy? Come and sing!
Why Does God Command Us to Sing? - Matt Chandler
How Shall I Sing? - Keith and Kristyn Getty
- Jenni Curtin