My 365 Day Struggle to Know Christ; Day 19

Day 19, August 27, 2011

Today I had the joy of participating in the first band practice with friends from our church. I have personally wanted to collaborate in a band jam session for many years. This band is going to serve two purposes. First, we will hopefully be able to reach the teenagers and young singles in our church community by practicing and preparing modern worship and popular Christian songs. Second, we will be collaborating with each other to develop and create new songs, which we hope to perform live on stage one day or in a studio.

It was so thrilling when everyone got to my house this morning. Each person brought all their instruments and materials from their own attempts at writing songs. We had a wonderful time as we learned a song that one of the members had written just a week earlier. Our Lord is truly amazing in the wonderful variety of music that he can place in our souls. I myself had just written a song the night before, which I was able to perform for the guys. I love to watch God’s faithfulness as we give Him our heart longings and He is faithful to provide for us out of his great love.

All the songs we worked on today, were absolutely amazing! I could really see the Lord allowing these songs to grow into something so much bigger than us. Ever since I have been able to sing and play instruments, I have wanted nothing more than to be able to write songs that would reach out to those across our nation and the world. Until recently, I have not be able to create any songs of worth yet I have trusted the Lord to be faithful as I have been disciplined to develop my musical craft.

The lord blessed me with two songs within a 24-hour period and the most interesting thing is how different they are. One song is a soft love ballad and the other is an alternative style song about sin and pain. Our Lord is the center and the answer to both of these songs and I could not think of anything better to write about that the gloriousness of our savior and Lord. I just want to be able to sing the blessings of my Lord for the rest of my life to as many people as I can. In the parable of the talents told by Jesus, it is clear that we are to use and multiply the talents that God has given us both financially and through our personal abilities. There have been many times that I have not been faithful in using the many talents the Lord has given me due to fear, apathy, and lack of discipline.

I am so grateful that the Lord has brought this opportunity into my life along with the ability to perform worship at my job occasionally. He has blessed me so much through all he as taught me about music this year. Our Lord is a great and mighty God and can do so much through us if we allow him. Music reaches in and touches our soul. This is why it is so very important that each of us with musical talents use our abilities in service to the Lord to bless this world through song.

I know that not everyone agrees about what type of Christian music is truly beneficial for ministry. As Paul became all things to all people I too believe it is necessary for us to be able to minister to people in all music genres. There are definitely certain music genres I have no interest in but I hope that I can touch many people for our Lord’s kingdom through the genres I do love. Whatever the Lord is leading on your heart today to do in His name be it service, music, art, writing, teaching, loving on hurting people, and/or so many other things, trust Him. Once you surrender to the Lord and are open to being used by Him be expectant because our Lord will move in a wonderful and powerful way in your life.

Blessings,

Greg