It’s been a very long time since I wrote a blog, more than a
few months. But this break has given me some time to relax, and just reflect
upon life and how I am blessed to be living in a world where I know that
whatever happens is nothing compared to the everlasting glory waiting before
me- the Kingdom the Lord is preparing for us to inhabit when He comes again.
Recently, I have been thinking about the generation of today- the technological
one that spends almost 24/7 online; and how they interact with people from the
other side of the globe. Then there’s the one who watches TV, listens to music,
and watches almost every movie under the sun. There’s some that watch news most
nights compared to others who just simply would be content if they just read a
book. Today, there are a million different ways to be kept entertained, and
more often than not, people are choosing the option where a screen of some sort
is involved.
Because of our interconnectedness through the internet (and
in recent times, facebook and twitter); we need to closely analyse whatever we
do, because the music that we listen to, the TV shows that we watch and the
games that we play go far beyond entertainment, compared to years ago when that
was all it was. Now, information is being passed by this medium of blogging,
posting articles, even watching videos are a good way to learn something new.
Which brings me to the question- can you learn something new and interesting,
or better still, can God, the maker of the universe and Father to you and me,
speak to us through this medium of technology? A song or a movie, or even a TV
series, can in fact speak to our very souls, and show us something about ourselves
and others that God may want us to delve more into, to look inside our hearts
and discover what He has for us, both now and into the future. Songs, movies,
TV and the like are more than entertainment, certainly for the Y and Z
generations. Believe it or not, these forms of ‘entertainment’ now have the power
to motivate, encourage, help- even change someone’s life as they ponder things
about their own lives that only God can reveal. God can, and is able, and does
use these mediums to speak to His creation, and as we continue to navigate this
technological culture, we will come across a movie, a TV show, even a song or a
book, that will speak to our hearts and show us something about our hearts, or
even the Father’s heart, as we understand more of who He is, and where we fit
in the long and never-ending story of God.
2012 has been a very good year in Christian music, and there
have been a few standouts. A few blogs ago, I wrote about a MercyMe song ‘The
Hurt and the Healer’, that had impacted my life and had risen to be one of my
favourite songs of 2012. Lately it’s been a song by singer-songwriter, Matthew
West, ‘Forgiveness’; that has been influential in lives around the world and in
mine as well. Speaking about the topic we all feel like is an impossible
choice, we are reminded of how hard it is to forgive, and how Christ in us is
the way we ought to make the choice as we lay down our burdens before the Lord
and live without the bitterness hanging over our hearts. This chart-topping
song is one
of the most transparent, heartfelt and encouraging melodies I’ve heard this
year. With the story behind this song already a viral hit on Godtube.com, the
story presents a very real scenario, in which I may struggle to forgive if I
was suddenly placed within it. As we are always told to ‘forgive and forget’,
it can be ‘easier said than done’ as we try with our own strength to look past
the indiscretions of others, even when we truly realise that what we’re trying
to do is an impossible feat to accomplish. Nevertheless, as we give forgiveness
a chance through the complete help and work of Christ within us, we will be
free from the chains (though not physical, they still have a great stronghold
on many people) that some of us may be under for as long as we try with the
strength that we have, rather than surrendering to Christ and letting Him work
through us, healing the wounds and urging us to practice some of the most
endearing, yet equally confronting and faith-challenging decisions of our
lives. Matthew wrote this song based on how a mother forgave her daughter’s
killer, and advocated on behalf of him for his release from prison- rallying
alongside him as he began to transform during his time served inside the gaol
cell. To be honest, this feat; can only be done through a miracle of God-
nothing else can be the driving factor in such a compelling, humble and
heartfelt act of grace, mercy and compassion. There is freedom when we leave
our bitterness by the wayside to embrace the surrender to Christ as we face our
daily issues and as we come to terms with the things that will eat us up
physically, emotionally and spiritually otherwise; with this 4:27 melody giving
many people healing since it’s release on radio a few months ago, aiming to
promote awareness of something that ought to be pursued if we should live life
to the fullest.
With heartfelt words and a great story of redemption and hope
to go along with it, ‘Forgiveness’ is just one of many songs that are touching
many listeners around the world, as we understand that a song can even change a
person’s life, just as much as a long sermon. There is such power in songs, as
well as TV, movies and books, that our entertainment that we immerse ourselves
in almost every day has the ultimate power to shape our beliefs and ideals,
understanding that next time we watch our favourite show, or listen to our
favourite song, there may be moments where God may speak, longing for us to
listen to the things He wants us to say. Let us not be dismissive when God
starts to speak through methods that we may sometimes see as unconventional-
like through a movie or a book. God can use whatever means He wants to grab our
attention and show us the things that He knows will impact us, and who are we
to question that? As we open our minds and heart to proactively seek the Lord
and say, ‘God, speak to me in whatever way!’, we will hear Him speak, and
realise the value of the song, or the book, or the TV show, or the movie that
has impacted someone so much that they decide to change paths, or they decide
to turn their life around. Something so life-changing that they start to
encounter the Lord’s presence and understand His unending, unequivocal and
unending Love, not only for all creation, but also for them too!
Before I finish this blog, let me ask you a question. What is
your favourite song, or movie, or TV show? Has God ever spoken through these
mediums to You? If not, do you think that He might? Will you listen whenever
that occurs?
Here below is the story behind Matthew West’s hit 2012 song, ‘Forgiveness’.
Hope you can watch it and be inspired at the work Christ can do in lives if we
only just place down our barriers and surrender to Him!
Til next time,
Jon.
