Image from PxFuel.com
Today's worship song is part one of two songs where we continue our exploration of "spontaneous" worship.
In yesterday's song, we heard examples of spoken prayers mixed in with sung lyrics. We also heard the repetition that is often a criticism of "contemporary" music. But as I shared my experience that repetition helps put my brain on autopilot and moves worship of God into my heart.
Today's song, "Catch the Wind", begins with the expected instrumental music and sung lyrics. As the song progresses, the leader, Melissa Helser, sings and speaks in tongues.
Some of you will be offended at this, I know because I once found offense in the speaking of tongues. Some of you will not be offended that she sings in tongues, but rather that she is doing so in a public, corporate setting.
I can't explain tongues - it's a mystery of God. My only attempt at explanation is to use Paul's definitions - groanings of the Spirit and speaking in the tongues of angels. It is God's Holy Spirit communicating with Himself through me. My prayer in tongues came to me at a time when I confessed to God that I didn't know how to pray for a situation and that I didn't have words worthy of the prayer.
The Apostle Paul teaches if one speaks in tongues, let there be those who can interpret (1 Corinthians 14:27). If you read in the YouTube comments to this video, there is an interpretation provided by someone with that gift. Isn't God good?
Melissa then moves from singing in tongues to spontaneous prayer lyrics and describing visions of what she sees during worship. Again, this is difficult to explain and some of you will not like that this is "worship".
Examples that I can provide are from the Gospel of John. First is where Jesus said, "...the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees His Father doing." (John 5:19)
The second passage, also from John, is similar. Jesus says that He only speaks what the Father is speaking (John 12:49).
How do I tie this back to our worship song?
Melissa is seeing what God is doing over the congregation - pouring healing honey out - and she is describing that through the song.
Please set your confusion or offense aside for one moment and think about how wonderful it is that people are singing and praising God and in return, He is pouring out healing honey over them. Who among you wouldn't want to trade a song of worship for healing? And yet, that is part of the promise that Jesus brought with Him - not just salvation, but so much more.
He commands us to heal the sick and cleanse the leper. And we know that it is not our own abilities but God working through us that brings healing to people.
In tomorrow's song, we will continue with the next part of this same worship service. Yet you will see and hear the tangible and experiential evidence of God's presence in worship.
Please understand my heart is to help you have a fuller and deeper connection to the Father through worship.
Today is Melissa Helser singing, "Catch The Wind (Spontaneous)".
~~Ken
#monthofworship #BethelMusic #MelissaHelser #JonathanDavidHelser #MollySkaggs #1Corinthians14:27 #John5:19 #John12:49 #praisinggod2021 #30DaysOfWorship
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