Thoughts from my life to yours
I’ve been doing this Bible study that asked how I know God has tried to communicate with me in the past. I could think of lots of ways really. He is, after all very creative. The study then asked if He has ever used a song to communicate with me. I would like to share my answer with you.
Yes, God has used songs many times to comfort, convict and encourage me. Oddly, the one time that stands out the most I can’t even remember the song. It was after I had really REALLY messed up and I had been carrying the full weight of my guilt and shame. (Please don’t try to guess what my sin was, first it’s probably not what you’re thinking and second, I wouldn’t tell you anyway.)
The weight was literally crushing me. I was to the point of seeing suicide as a possible option since I had so bought into the enemy’s lie that I had messed up more than God could forgive me or love me through.
I don’t remember where I was or even what I was doing but I heard this song. I must have heard it before because I remember knowing the words to it. I was just singing along while wallowing in my self destructive guilt, shame and pity when all of a sudden the reality of the words I was singing became so clear. The song was about praising God for His amazing forgiveness and love for us. Suddenly these words I had sung so many times before actually made sense. I remember it literately took my breath away as I sang to the Lord with all my heart and He lifted the burden from me!
He didn’t take away the consequences that I still had to face, but at that moment I KNEW I would not have to face them alone. For the first time in what seemed like forever, I had hope again. I was still scared of what lay ahead of me, but I knew my Jesus loved, really loved, me and would walk with me through the storms that were sure to come.
The song wasn’t the hope I needed, but it was the catalyst God used to bring me back. The fact that I can’t remember the name of the song or even how it goes just proves to me that He did not intend for the song to change my life, but it was only to be a reminder of the truth I already knew but was refusing to allow myself to fully accept; that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit love me and will never leave me, no matter what.
I don’t know how many times He has made Himself known to me through the words others have sang to Him and allowed me to join. I am so grateful for the ability to make a “joyful noise” to my Lord.
If you tend to be one of those folks who like to leave early before or during the worship to beat the crowd to your favorite restaurant, I encourage you to stay. Please allow yourself the opportunity to sing to the Father of Life. After all, we have been given such a blessing in being able to freely come to Him in praise. It is our chance to give back what little we have to offer to our Creator.
You may or may not like the way worship is done where you go to church, but honestly, it’s not for you. It’s for Him. Besides, you never know how He may be wanting to speak to you through those songs.
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1
If you have had a similar experience with a song that touched your heart and helped you hear the Lord, please share it with me. I would love to know that I am not the only one…
Hi, my name is Kathy. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a wife, a mother and now (because my husband really wants me to) am collecting my thoughts into this blog. I hope you might be encouraged, or even challenged by the discussion here, and I look forward to reading your comments. I am a stay at home mom, my husband is the lead pastor of the multi site CrossPoint Church, and my two boys are named Noah and Nathan. Many blessings!
Deb Peterson
June 29th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
God Speaks to us in many ways …songs , sermons people
trials …thanks for posting Kathy
Michelle
June 30th, 2011 at 1:04 am
All the time songs help me. Two examples
1. When I’m thinking to much about what I look like Mercy Me’s Beautiful, Francesca Battiwhatever’s Beautiful Beautiful or some other song whether Christian or whatever comes on to tell me the opposite of what I’m thinking. Almost every single time for a little while. I didn’t even need to be in my car listening to music…somehow a song came on. It was getting a little spooky.
2. At Venue I was singing “I called you answered” and I had a rush of some of my most vulnerable prayers come rushing at me. Only a few tears were coming out but I wanted them to gush out. But then after service someone came and said hey you want to meet at Hastings this week and talk? It all connected.
So yeah I think singing is an awesome form of worship and experiencing God!
Rachel Green
June 30th, 2011 at 1:46 am
I love reading your writing! You have a tremendous talent! I had a similar experience with a song when I felt like it wasn’t possible for God to forgive me for the way I’d been living, I heard Mark Schultz’s “Back in His Arms”. I wept and wept and honestly it was life changing for me. I’m so thankful that He uses whatever it takes to get our attention!
Andrea
June 30th, 2011 at 4:04 am
Great words! I just remember driving in my Car a song was playing I don’t remember what but God use that song to help me realize that He was in control and I needed to allow Him to take control. Thanks for sharing!
Nikki Barton
July 12th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I’m glad your husband “really wanted you to do this” blog. You have a talent for writing:-) I believe that God gave each of us different ways in which we worship Him most deeply. Nature, music, praying, the Bible. I think everyone has one God given worship “favorite.” Music is definitely mine. I’m really not a sappy person, but so many songs about God’s forgiveness and love make me cry. I love “East to West” and “Slow Fade.” Both remind me of my insufficiency, and His grace to handle it. Music is one of the ways I experience the Holy Spirit’s filling and even conviction most effectively, I guess. — I also wanted to add that I had an experience similar to yours when you talked about God using a song to kind of wake you up and realize He was there and always will be. Only for me it was Phillipians 4:13 written in an encouragement card sent to me during that time of “suffering and shame” that I’d gotten myself into. Thanks for your post. Reading about other peoples experiences with God is very uplifting.