Testimonies
Music as a religion, it is not
By Gary George
It has been some time since I decided on this title. I was going to change it to just “music” but then the truth would not be revealed. I was driving down the freeway the other day and this girl had her car covered in music paraphernalia. There was a theme, a religion; one that only comes from music and the sense of belonging. Take away the music in her life and she would be left empty. As I passed her, my instinct was correct, both her hair and her make-up were reflections of her car and all of the paraphernalia she had put on it. Music is a religion to many people, but it is a deception that many get caught up in. I once bought the lie, here is my story.
I lived me life for music. Music (secular) had an ability to draw me in and give me a feeling of attachment. I had a feeling of being connected with its creators. Once connected, it causes me to want to know more about the artist. I was quite alarmed by their beliefs and or philosophies. I was a Tool and Korn fan. What these artists believe in and what they live their lives for was shocking. There was a time when I though music completed me to some extent. For the longest time, it was all about the music (thank God I didn’t get that tattoo). Music of all sorts has a way of taking our focus off of God. From the Beatles to Korn, it isn’t all inherently evil, or is it. It’s that the bible calls us to do all things to the glory of God. Music has a way of making you feel connected to something reassuring your feelings. But it is nothing.
Most often what the artist is talking about is not even close to what you are feeling from a song. One of these instances was a song by U2. “Where the streets have no name” It isn’t about heaven at all as we can very well draw a parallel but rather about someone Bono knew who spent some time in the Far East desert area somewhere. Music can cause you to imagine a good thing out of something that isn’t relevant at all to your life or a situation you may be in. God is the only one that will meet you were you are. He says to come just as you are. We must come just as we are. There is no way that we can change on our own. It is a misconception that we must work our selves out first before we come to Him. There is work only He can do. He is our creator. Think about it. He created us. Don’t you think He knows us? He knew us before He even laid the foundations of the world. You see God knows how emotional I am. I have fallen in Love with Him because He is Kind, Gentle, Sincere, and so very loving. His love is beyond anything you could ever imagine. Just think of the deepest love you have ever experienced. His Love is far beyond that. It is just incomprehensible.
A song by Matt Redman had always captured my heart however, after God so gracefully orchestrated me to quite and leave the band, one night at church it hit home and blew me away with tears.
The heart of worship (When the music fades)
When the music fades and all is stripped away. And I simply come. Longing just to bring something that's of worth that will bless your heart. I'll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself, is not what you have required, you search much deeper within, through the way things appear, you're looking into my heart. I'm coming back to the heart of worship, and it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus. I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it.
You see God wants more from us than actions or works. He wants our whole heart. This is a far greater offering to Him as we lay down our very heart and give it to him in a spirit of surrender. Things are so much different now for me now. I am free and complete. It was always all about the music. That was what I believed in. It was an escape. Music was my passion, yet it did not make me happy. I didn't have to play to be happy. However, I recall the most emotionally fulfilling times were when I was played songs that caused me to worship.
Since I am very emotional as music is, it had me good. Not in a way of taking me to kill myself or do drugs or other things as the media would have you think, instead, in a way to not focus on God. As music feeds on our emotions, especially in the secular realm it causes us to feed on our emotions inward rather than outward. It is a way to keep us distracted from God. And to think Tool was my all time favorite band. Something else needed my focus, something just wasn't right.
I had a fellow band mate tell me he was only happy playing guitar. Playing didn’t make me happy. It didn’t complete me. God had other plans as during this time God changed me, really changed me. I found God and His Love in a personal real sense unlike ever before. He so captured my heart. I absolutely fell in Love with Him. I have such a hunger for Him now, I can’t deny. I can't go with out reading. That is a whole other issue I used to never like reading. Now I find myself reading all the time. I even tripped once because I didn’t have a book to read. I once considered books that teach about the bible were not good and that we should only read our bible instead God showed me that He has gifted authors to help teach us about His word and give us insight. I actually found myself reading the subtitles on a movie once. My heart just changed. God changed my focus. I got to where all my spare time I just wanted to read and get to know Him more. He wanted my whole heart. He just kept asking for more. I eventually fell in Love. That is what happened. I can care less about a record deal or going on tour. I only want to serve God now. Where ever He wants me to go. I used to love being around rock and roll. However now I love being around God's people; it is awesome to be able to serve and convey His Love.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
Gary, What a glorious testimony for Christ, I was blessed by your article. Isn't it so true, by turning our focus on Him, He in return makes our lives fullfilled. God Bless you on your journey with Him. Rita
I really enjoyed your article Gary! Yes, in finding God, we have found the find of a lifetime. The very most precious thing that anyone can ever acquire, is finding God! Isn't it interesting how He even changes a persons desires to line up with what He wants for that persons life? Blessings, Sharon
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 814 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Gary George or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 814 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.