Today in chapel, we entered to some lame pop-ish contemporary worship song. The lyrics of which were about as valuable as the melody was to the history of world music. A friend in front of me sat down, in protest to the vast and profound theological misconceptions portrayed in the song. Though I try to avoid cynicism, I too did not join in singing because he had a very valid point—the song was terrible in every way. (For those of you who don't think theology should be involved in music...I remind you that Jesus says that true worshippers will worship in Spirit and in TRUTH.)
After we were seated, we began to watch a series of video clips related to the Asian Tsunami. The clips were truly heart-rending. I pray that the Lord will never allow me to grow numb to this, nor any other such tragedy. But I can’t dwell on this thought, for this blog is dedicated to something else. After several minutes we were asked to stand. We began to sing the song, “Blessed be your name.” While at first I was resistant to the way we glibly transitioned from sad imagery to pop, feel good music, I did approve of the song choice.
Blessed be Your name when I’m found in the desert place,
Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering Blessed be Your Name.
As I sang these words, I was confronted by the thought: “You don’t even have a clue. You have not tarried in the wilderness, nor trekked long on the road marked with suffering. Keep singing, this is truth. But remember that you have no clue.”
It’s all true. I honestly haven’t suffered much. The contrast is made so clear by the disasters of late. I have never lost all but one family member. I have never been left with only the clothes on my back—completely dependent on foreigners from around the world to feed and clothe me. I have not had much opportunity to praise the Lord amidst my hurt and pain. Perhaps my praise should rise all the more fervently because of that fact. (Lord, truly, I do thank You for Your marvelous protection of me.) Yet, at the back of my mind and from deep in my heart, the challenge arises, “Remember these lyrics, so that you truly can say Blessed Be Your Name, in the day of your suffering.” Lord, prepare me for that. May my life pour forth blessing to you when “the world’s all as it should be” or “when the road is marked with suffering.”
3 comments:
Thanks for your words! I couldn't agree more! In a few weeks, I will be preaching using this song "Blessed be your name" as the topic of my message. In today's world, we really don't understand what suffering is like. Yet, when we do face it...are we really able to say..."Blessed be your name"?
Thank you for your comments.
I couldn't disagree more! What's exactly your problem with the song? For one thing everyone goes through suffering at one time or another, loss of a loved one, maybe losing your house (with the economy problems) And other things as well. And how do you know the orriginal writer hasn't gone through such things, or maybe he's taking it off of some one elses experiences. Writers don't always write about themselves, they write things that connect with other people. Maybe he wanted to write the song to maybe give hope to someone that has had touch times.
Post a Comment