Reflective Value of the Songs we Sing

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Amazing grace that saves stumbling sinner like you and me.

Has that hymn become so common that we have lost sight of just how beautiful it is?

Those traditional songs of the Church aren’t sung as much as they should be.

The song lyricists and composers reached deep into their souls to communicate how God loves us. They explored the wonder of God’s creation. Their over-arching message was how we are lost as a people without something more than ourselves to believe in.

Our redemption isn’t found in mere self-effort. We need something to hold on to when our strength fails to carry us through life’s struggles.

These songs need to be listened to with open hearts, not closed minds. They are to be felt. There are times there is a call to my spirit not to sing the words, but to say them to myself as a silent prayer.

How many songs do we sing that we know well with passion? I know. I’ve done it myself. God loves hearing His Name lifted up in song.

We can leave room to sing softly or not to sing at all. How often do you hear a worship leader say, Please don’t sing this song. Let us read the words quietly for the next five minutes. How many of us would feel comfortable with our worship leader or minister doing that?

We grow accustomed to the way services are led. Five minutes of silence can be too much to handle for some people. I noticed this when one of my friends was leading prayer and praise time at a church I attended. He had called for a time of quiet reflection. After a few minutes had passed one of the participants couldn’t help but say something. The deafening peace was too uncomfortable for her. It spoiled what could have been a meaningful time of reflecting upon how God was speaking to us.

Should we allow worship leaders, pastors and ministers greater freedom in listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say, instead of that’s the way we always do it in this church?

I pray hymns such as Amazing Grace will never be removed from our songbooks. I believe we would lose out in the depth of our worship services if we stop singing these traditional hymns. More modern songbooks are removing many of the songs our parents, grandparents and great grandparents sang, in favor of contemporary Christian songs.

Man on the Middle Cross sung by Rhett Walker is played on many Christian radio stations. It is the story of an ordinary man who is grateful for being forgiven by Jesus for his sins. I get goosebumps every time I hear it! That sinner is me. It’s you too.

Every life has value in the eyes of Christ – that man on the middle cross. Contemporary and traditional songs should be reflective of the importance of that message.

Dr. Kevin Osborne is a Vice-President for Student Affairs for St. James the Elder University. Dr. Osborne is a doctor of theology candidate through SJTEU. He is s therapist, writer, poet, and singer. He helps people in their inner healing journey. Dr. Osborne lives in Timmins, northern Ontario, Canada, with his wife, Karen. She is the Registrar for SJTEU. Karen has a B.A. in Clinical Christian Counseling from St. James the Elder University. Karen is a writer, editor, and missionary of the heart.