This has been a long time coming. I promise this is not a negative rant, or written to shame. It is a genuine grief that’s been stirring my heart for some time now. It’s a plea, a call for honesty, a family meeting all wrapped into one.

A few weeks ago, I was searching for some fresh music. Clicking on different artists, listening a little, hopping around from one to another to find some music that felt genuine and solid.

Click one: Well known Christian group, I actually have a few of their songs. Then I started hearing one song about a girl cheating on a guy and no excuses. I should’ve stopped there, but clicked another song on the album. Which was just as irritating, maybe more. This one detailed how soft a girl’s skin was. Like rose petals. On and on… more heart and less attack should’ve considered edification.

Click two: Looking for worship music. Came across some songs that told me I am the light of the world. I am brave and unstoppable and I can do all things. I, I, I … (Let that sink in…. who actually said “I am the Light of the world”??)

Click three: Love the sounds of this guy. Cool acoustics with clever lyrics. But he never mentions Jesus. God is merely a character in the story briefly brought up. Vague notions of heaven, just a call to kindness. I really just need to worship the Lord today. Get my focus off of me.

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Okay. Real quick. I am not going all legalistic. I like an oldie song just like the next person. But we are talking about an entire industry that is capitalizing on the Christian faith. So this is simply something that is long overdue and needs to be said. So here it goes:

As a believer who is a musician, songwriter or worship leader. – There has to be a greater focus on Christ. The words written must be colored with the words in red. Inspiration shouldn’t be coming from positivity and sunny days. Bring us before the throne of grace. Remind us we are lost and parched without those daily living waters. Show us how to magnify our God and be in wonder and awe of His creation. And please. Please. don’t tell me how great I am. Sing to me ‘how great Thou art’. Stop leaving out the part that I need to repent, be in the word, sacrifice the comforts of life for my fellow brother. Don’t avoid the warning there are consequences to sin. Tell me I need to fight for my marriage instead of making me feel better about my brokenness.

Where are the voices that remind us of the persecuted church? Where are the songs of scripture? I can barely hear you! We need you! Our youth need to understand what worship actually is. And it is not synchronized moves on a stage, fashion statements, or smoke and lights. Teach the youth we are not a product of a billion years. Disciple through your music the words of the Bible, and don’t apologize for it. We need our music artists to hold themselves as an example, a beacon, a pointing sign that is exhausted but godly, broke and humble – all while they sing ‘I exalt Thee’. THAT brings glory to God. Maybe stop going to the award ceremonies. Stop loading up on the docks for radio show cruises. I know, you’ve made a lot of hit singles. I know, everyone likes it. But worship isn’t about everyone else. It’s about Jesus Christ. And all the love of a holy God. The patient forgiveness of the saints as they work the fields of the harvest. Sing a new song in your heart, but not with new doctrine.

When Jesus said He would rather the church of Laodicea be hot or cold because He would spit out the lukewarm, I kinda get it. Because when I hear empty songs that sing only about me, I want to change the station. You can’t be about Christ’s business as a musician but sing or write songs about a girls’ skin, being worth more than gold, or cheating or a girls night out. The world feeds us enough of that.

Life as a Christian is more than “I am more than a conqueror” (bugs me how this is hardly expanded upon with the whole verse & in proper context). Give us complete verses and proper context if you quote the Bible, please, we need it. Songs that perpetuate an appetite for the shallow only keep us on the milk and not the meat of the Word. We are intended to grow in our understanding and faith.

Encourage the church to know their Bibles, use it for your lyrics. Make room for the Lord on the stage, decrease that He may increase like John the Baptist. Or maybe stop singing on the stage and get into the schools and prisons and parks. We are called to share the gospel. If this is truly a call to ministry, then walk away from the business of it all. It’s amazing how God provides. We are all poor & broke out here; but the remnant, the saints of the Lord Jesus, still have a fire in our bosom and long to sing songs of deliverance, hope and holiness. Don’t forget your first Love, and your songs will reflect the genuine ache and love for the Man of Galilee. It will enrich the fellowship of the saints. The sales may still go down, because when you draw a line and set yourself apart for the humble service of Jesus it sifts out those who want their ears tickled. BUT. But there will be crowns in heaven for you before the throne of glory. And there will be rejoicing together.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16