Those who tend to be “happier,” more energized, or genuinely joyful, are not the people you see listening to emo, depressing music in their basement.
They are usually upbeat because they fill themselves with uplifting entertainment.
I, for instance, believe that my bizarre obsession with Christmas carols, Andrea Bocelli, and “soaking” music, most definitely reflects my personality.
Those who listen to hard core rock ’n’ roll, tend to imitate that hard core, rigid mood in their daily lives … They are not usually the ones you see running through a field of daisies, quoting poems by Emily Dickinson.
And others, you may find, who feast on Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley … well … they really are, a little bit country …
Yet no matter the genre … music, it seems, always makes its way into your heart and soul … You will find yourself humming or speaking the words you sing inadvertently in the shower or while you do your office work.
Words are POWER and can change and will change your state of mind.
When you murmur or repeat certain phrases over and over again in song, those words become stronger and more believable to your spirit; the songs plant seeds (for better or worse) in your life, that will one day grow up and show up in who you are.
Take these lyrics for instance … Closer, by Amanda Cook of Bethel Worship:
Your love has ravished my heart
And taken me over
Taken me over
And All I want is to be
With You forever
With You forever
Pull me a little closer
Take me a little deeper
I want to know Your heart
I want to know Your heart…
Every time I sing these words, I think of my Jesus and how He loves me … I almost always end up in tears.
Why? Because I believe what I am saying and what I am saying is influential.
Words have the ability to create space in the atmosphere for God’s praise and when I make a choice to use my words to empower and encourage my own heart, that’s exactly what happens.
My mind is renewed and my spirit fills with joy because I am speaking over my own life, words that my heart needs to hear, words that permeate my being and are not easily lost, as I contemplate and meditate on them day and night.
Now onto the flip side of this jukebox …
What if I go for a run and I’m not “feelin” Josh Groban or Chris Tomlin?
What if … I’m feeling a little angsty? I want something more intense to feed my soul … like Nirvana —a well-known group with songs entitled “Rape Me” and “Breed?” They are a little dark. A little sinister … but man, what talent!
What if … I’m feeling like getting into a “happy” mood with an upbeat tune like “Discovery Channel” by the Bloodhound Gang which has no qualms about explicitly detailing how we are all animals and should mate when and how we want to …just like animals.
I mean … what’s the harm? These are just songs … my Pastor’s son listens to them … and I’m just listening to it for the beat … I can barely understand the words anyway… It’s not hurting any body, right?
I am sure by now you’ve realized that this state of mind—where you go by how you “feel” to decide what you ought to listen to— is utterly and completely destructive!
Sure, some worship is slow. Some soaking music can be deep, it can make you even a little sleepy at times … who cares!
Does yawning through your praise of God give you the license to open up your spirit to Nirvana (which is a Buddhist term for a transient state of mind) and Kanye West, just to get your “worldly” fix in a way the Church tolerates?
May I remind you … Our God is a holy God, a God of righteousness! So when we decide to let every demonic presence imaginable into our minds, just because we want an upbeat song to do the dishes to … it hurts His heart.
That should matter to you, to me … to every believer.
Remember Esau?
He was the only man in the Bible who God said He hated …
Why?… Because Esau sold his birthright … for a “feel” good moment. He gave his calling up for a bowl of porridge … He could not wait to satisfy his desire. He wanted what he wanted and he wanted it NOW!(Genesis 25:29-34)
Don’t be that man or woman of God who gives up purity, sanctity, holiness, the righteous call of God on his life just to feel good.
Sin is Sin. And if you Love Jesus truly … you want no part of it … whether it sounds pretty or not.
I am constantly asking people I know if they have heard any new music by worship artists or Contemporary Christian bands … What I usually get is the look down to the ground with the explanation that Worship music is boring and not ‘my style.’
The worship of Techno, Beyonce, Jay Z, and Adele seem to take precedence over any worship of God these days … just about every time.
Our generation has forgotten that they cannot be a friend of the world and still love God. I did not make that up … seriously … you have to let go of the world if you ever want to get up close and personal with the Saviour.
We cannot serve two masters. EVER. We will ALWAYS end up loving the one and hating the other. (Matt. 6:24).
Speaking from experience … I have come to learn that there is no lack of “talent” in the Church today, and that if a believer thinks there is no good music to be found in the heart of God, that believer has COMPLETELY missed the point.
First off … stop complaining about others who are pouring their life out in song to God in a way that may not fit your ‘style’. The G chord on the acoustic seems to be what the Spirit of God is digging this season … get over it!
Next, research a little!
I promise, if you look, you will find music that makes you want to dance … (I do understand the struggle … I do) but it really does exist!
(See My list of danceable songs at the bottom) 😉
And last of all, listen and worship to the music God has provided for you and ask Him if maybe you are the answer to your own prayers for brighter, sun-shinier, upbeat Christian tunes!
Remember, God did not put us on this earth to be entertained nor to spend time praising Arrow Smith’s screaming while mocking Kari Jobe’s whispered prayers.
God placed us here to love Him and BE A LIGHT in the darkness! … That is all!
But how can we ever be lights if we continuously complain about how boring the light is, how un-relatable the light is, how we’d much rather listen to, watch, and meditate on the darkness because—in all honesty—the darkness is way more fun!?
Think of all the most beautiful things you could ever imagine … now wrap them all up together… what you get, is our God!
The more you fill your heart with light and the more you seemingly give up what you once thought you wanted … the easier it is for you to bow your knee to the King, lift up your arms and declare, “Father, whatever You want, You can have!”
This is when the fun begins!
Anyone who says Christianity is boring … isn’t doing it right!
The world has no clue what fun is, but a believer?
An honest to goodness believer gets to experience true life, the wonder the splendor the excitement of all the good this world has to offer as well as HEAVENLY PEACE.
We get to go places, love people, explore, without the guilt, the shame, the condemnation the world tries to escape!
The bottom line is, Trust God, live in the LIGHT, and take His hand… You may never know where He will lead you, but you’re in for a wild ride.
That’s a promise.
Catch the Wave~
Victoria
Upbeat Worship Song List:
Bekah Shae (Hip Hop/Hebrew)
I’ll Be Alright
Life
Here in this Moment
Gold
Indescribable
Show Me
We Are
The list goes on with this girl … 🙂
Hillsong Young and Free (Youthful/Upbeat/Dance)
Pick an album, any album… also Check out their spanish album (Vivo Estas)
My faves are:
This is Living (Ft. Lucrae)
Wake
Alive
Brighter
Energy
Group 1 Crew(Hip Hop)
Keys to the Kingdom
Live it Up
Manipulation
For King and Country (Worship Jesus & Honor The Queen, all at the same time)
Fine Fine Life
Fix My Eyes
Middle of Your Heart
Jordan Feliz
The River
Dancing Through the Fire
Dara Maclean (Total Girly Awesomeness)
Free
You Got My Attention
Suitcases
Nothin’ You Won’t Do
What Love Looks Like
Wanted
(Artists For the 13 Year Old Girl Inside)—Great Running Music.
Brit Nicole
Jamie Grace
Toby Mac (Diverse City Album)
Mercy Me
Shake
Greater
Needtobreathe
Multiplied
Let Us Love
Newsboys (Childhood Flashback:)
“Take Me to Your Leader” The Whole Album
Faves, “Breakfast” and “Reality”
I Am Free
Restart
God’s Not Dead
Worship Central (AU/NZ Awesomeness)
Let It Be Known
The Way
Mat Kearney, (Pop/Hip Hop/Coffee Shop/Rap)
Air I Breathe
Runaway
Closer
Undeniable
Nothin Left to Lose
Jesus Culture
Reconstructed Album
I could go on, but go and do your own research and find artists that you enjoy!
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