Can I admit something to you…something so haneous a crime that I should only share it with those close to me? Here it is. Please brace yourself. This is not for the faint-of-heart Christian. Take a deep breath. Here it is.
I don’t really like most Christian music anymore.
There. I feel so much better. But, like Lucy Ricardo, I feel like I’ve got some ’splainin to do…
I enjoy the musical styles in most Christian music. What I miss is that transcendent moment I used to enjoy when I listened to it. You know that part in the song where you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is near? I wonder sometimes if the ART of writing lyrics has been lost, and replaced by lyrics that ANALYZE more than FEEL mystery and wonder. Maybe it’s just my own hard heart.
These days, I’m finding myself listening to a lot of U2, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Chris Tomlin. Granted, Tomlin is a Christian artist, but he’s altogether different (I would actually argue that all of the artists I listed are deeply Christian). Listen to songs like “I Got Friends That Do†(McGraw); or “He Ain’t the Leavin Kind†(Rascal Flatts). I’m simply lifted to another place when I experience those songs. And they’re NOT on Christian Radio.
Please don’t get me wrong… I support Christian Radio–my family financially supports our local Christian radio station. I’m reflecting on the lyrical content, not the style. I am very grateful for what Christian radio has done.
There’s a commonality among the bands I listed–the members are all over 30 years old. They’re fathers and grandfathers. Maybe that’s something to think about. They’re not writing from a youthful perspective. Instead, they’re writing from a more weathered approach to life. Again, listen to the lyrics of their latest stuff. It shows. And the lyrics point to the amazing grace of God. They’re not comparing God to their latest love relationship; rather, they’re exalting His grace above all relationships. I like that.
So that’s what I think today. I could be wrong. I probably am wrong.
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