Relevance

Entering our driveway, the radio begins to play “Overcome” by Desperation Band. The young man’s eyes light up and he spouts, “I love this song!”

“You do?” I question, listening to the slow, reverant melody.

“Yeah!”

“We can sit in the car and finish listening to it, if you want.”

“Really?! Okay!”

I listen to him sing this song–his still young voice beginning to deepen with age, soft and sweet.

“‘Seated above, enthroned in the Father’s love…Destined to die, poured out for all mankind’
This is my favorite part, Mom…
‘God’s only son perfect and spotless one…He never sinned, but suffered as if he did'”

My heart is overcome. I can’t help but think about how many Christian bands are out there who are trying so hard to be relevant to the younger generation, and here I sit with a teenager who is listening neither for a catchy beat nor youthful lyrics. Rather, he is deeply affected by the words that describe the incredible sacrifice that was made all those years ago on the cross. His heart acknowledges the unfair exchange that was made, and he is visibly touched by it.

Don’t get me wrong…I love contemporary Christian music. I even love the stuff that is obviously geared toward a more youthful audience. But, while I believe it’s important to try to have a variety of good music for all kinds of tastes, in this moment, I’m overcome with the reminder that it is God who makes it all relevant.

Much like some of the church services I’ve seen where a pastor feels it’s necessary to try to make the Word come to life with a bunch of props and dramatic expression. But the truth is, the Word is already alive. Would you give CPR to someone who was breathing just fine on their own? No. Then why do we feel we need to make the living Word come to life? It doesn’t have to be cute to be made palateable. It’s the living Word of God and it’s perfect without our tweaks.

Again, I’m not saying that some people don’t enjoy these kinds of things or that they’re somehow bad. But, when it comes down to it, they’re not necessary.

Matthew 7:6 (MSG) says, “Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.”

I guess I’m just saying, sometimes, we get a little too carried away in trying to help people understand God when all we need to do is to provide an introduction. He’ll reveal Himself to people as they are ready to know Him. He’ll answer their questions, heal their wounds, and show Himself mighty. It’s okay to simply introduce the God of the Bible…the One who is and was and always will be…and let Him do the rest.