Another one sent in by a reader, recently used for worship:
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Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand.
But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand.
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me.
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "do not be afraid"
And the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are.
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This week something a little different. Hoping not to come off as "the authority," I'd like to open it up to all of you right away for discussion and comments for evaluation. What do you think about this song? Is it appropriate for worship? Why or why not?
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Nope,
ReplyDeleteNo law, no Gospel, and it smacks of work righteousness. Since when are we able to 'try' or 'decide' to believe? This is the kind of stuff that appeals to humanists and the sinful part of all of us. It does not rely on Christ's boundless mercy and grace or why we need it.
No, It's not appropriate for worship.
ReplyDeleteThere is law present in that it intends to show our sins against the 1st commandment - not fully trusting as David did. (I can understand the powerful image of Peter stepping out of the boat, but also keep in mind that Jesus rebukes him for his little faith and his doubt)
While that aspect of the song is a bit speculative (Jesus hasn't told us to step out of the boat or kill a giant), I can still understand the sentiment. From that standpoint, it might have value as a camp song or something of that nature.
But what makes the song absolutely unacceptable is the "gospel" answer to our sins of doubt and fear. I would summarize that answer as 1. Hear the Word when it tells you not to be afraid. 2. Remember that you can do these miraculous things because they are for God's glory. 3. Choose to listen to and believe that truth.
This answers the law with more law. It seeks a solution to what is inside me by digging deeper inside me. No mention of the real reason we don't need to be afraid when we are tempted or attacked - God loves us, we have forgiveness in the blood of Christ, he promises his love and works all things for our good, he comes to us in word and sacrament with reassurance of that forgiveness, his Holy Spirit is our constant comforter - the list could go on with biblical gospel comfort, but this song doesn't go down any of those paths.
Instead, it turns II Corinthians 12 on its head, "When I am weak, then I need to be stronger."
A synopsis of these lyrics might be:
ReplyDeleteThe writer scorns what he is, a coward in his comfort zone, and longs to be a winner, a courageous hero among cowards, making a spiritual conquest. The reward is a spiritual "high" - soaring with eagle's wings when he hears Jesus break out in song over him. With apparently no help from the Holy Spirit, the writer himself will choose to listen and choose to believe. With this mantra and the reward of pleasing Jesus, he will build up his courage to step onto those waves, go into battle, etc.
As Paul Kuckhahn commented, this is all law and bound to make a person feel miserable and frustrated in the end. It has no place in Christian worship.
I know this song and the story behind the song. It's essentially the songwriter's testimonial of how he triumphed over Attention Deficit Disorder and he draws a parellel to David slaying Golioath in the song. in my opinmion it's not for corporate worship. There's very few people that will understand the song if exposed to it in worship. Its a great song for solo listening, espicailly if you know the story behind it. It also has a few hints of decision theology (choosing to believe).
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