If worship in the musical expression were a lady, our relationship would be complicated, sprouting from a rough first couple dates.
First a little back story, I got saved when I was 18 years of age (see older blog posts for more details), and I was completely invested in my youth group, I mean it was the least I could do, it was in part because of the youth group existence that I recognized my true need to meet Jesus as my personal savior. I do not mean where I heard the name Jesus but understood the reality, that me wearing the cross necklace and saying, "I'm a christian" wasn't the beautiful invitation Christ had in store for me. It was because of this commitment to this youth group and my belief in the message being proclaimed there that I never really had to be pulled aside to be talked to.
So when the musical worship ended and Mr. Rowe, the youth pastor, asked if he could talk to me for a moment, it was not a normal practice. He called me over just because I was making hand gestures for each word for "Mighty to Save" and trying to get some friends to use them. Granted I was doing it more for my attention than for His glory. As Mr. Rowe was talking to me I remember wanting to dismiss his rebuke, classify it as a "agree to disagree" situation. I thought we just had different views on musical worship, he liked it and I just wanted to get to the Bible study. However, I am glad I did not harden my heart to his words, explaining the importance of showing God we love Him in a plethora of ways, including musical worship.
That conversation was a learning moment, that has played out in my own life multiple times. I was faced with advice given to me in a situation where I did not do anything inherently wrong, aside from trying to spice up a seemingly less important part of youth group. It would have been easy for me to nod my head say "you're right" and just mouth the words of the worship songs to play the "good Christian role." Instead of that lackluster passive approach, I entered into a time of investigation of the importance of musical worship. I would like to say that I came out the other side of the investigation simply captivated by all worship songs, but that would be a lie.
To this day I struggle to get fully immersed in praising the heavenly Father with song. I question the biblical accuracy of the lyrics, and I wonder if I am singing for others in the room, or the Lord solely. Truth be told if church would be done my way, we would most likely sing one maybe two worship songs max. This would be the musical stance at the Church of Kevin, despite the fact that God has moved me deeply, from time to time, via musical worship, and my knowledge that it is pleasing to the Lords' spirit to lift our voices up to Him in praise and adoration "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" -Psalm 95:1- The reason for the disconnect is because church is meant to be about Christ not ourselves.
Reflecting on how God has worked in my musical life has made me ask two main questions to filter my thought process through. One: how do I handle rebuke? Do I handle it like a fool, ignoring it, or like a wise man, learning from it? "Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you," -Proverbs 9:8- Two: is my faith for my self-indulgence or for His edification? It is true that true faith is living a life we were designed for, therefore we will be most satisfied as we are glorifying God. On the other hand it is false to assume we have faith to make life easier.
Anyways, this whole post was inspired because, as you most likely know, I am going to Ireland and I started looking for Irish Christian bands. I am sure that the musical atmosphere will be as different as I have been discovering that the culture is. I am excited to embark in a completely different worship experience, musical and otherwise. I am also pleased to inform you that I have found an awesome Irish Christian band called Rend Collective Experience, and posted one of my favorite songs below. Speaking of Ireland, I am still pretty short financially (less than half funded) so if you can support me in that way it would be much appreciated. Simply go to www.whm.org/give/give-to-a-missionary, then click on my name, Kevin Palcsak. Thank you in advance for the ways that you are partnering with me in God's mission in Ireland.
First a little back story, I got saved when I was 18 years of age (see older blog posts for more details), and I was completely invested in my youth group, I mean it was the least I could do, it was in part because of the youth group existence that I recognized my true need to meet Jesus as my personal savior. I do not mean where I heard the name Jesus but understood the reality, that me wearing the cross necklace and saying, "I'm a christian" wasn't the beautiful invitation Christ had in store for me. It was because of this commitment to this youth group and my belief in the message being proclaimed there that I never really had to be pulled aside to be talked to.
So when the musical worship ended and Mr. Rowe, the youth pastor, asked if he could talk to me for a moment, it was not a normal practice. He called me over just because I was making hand gestures for each word for "Mighty to Save" and trying to get some friends to use them. Granted I was doing it more for my attention than for His glory. As Mr. Rowe was talking to me I remember wanting to dismiss his rebuke, classify it as a "agree to disagree" situation. I thought we just had different views on musical worship, he liked it and I just wanted to get to the Bible study. However, I am glad I did not harden my heart to his words, explaining the importance of showing God we love Him in a plethora of ways, including musical worship.
That conversation was a learning moment, that has played out in my own life multiple times. I was faced with advice given to me in a situation where I did not do anything inherently wrong, aside from trying to spice up a seemingly less important part of youth group. It would have been easy for me to nod my head say "you're right" and just mouth the words of the worship songs to play the "good Christian role." Instead of that lackluster passive approach, I entered into a time of investigation of the importance of musical worship. I would like to say that I came out the other side of the investigation simply captivated by all worship songs, but that would be a lie.
To this day I struggle to get fully immersed in praising the heavenly Father with song. I question the biblical accuracy of the lyrics, and I wonder if I am singing for others in the room, or the Lord solely. Truth be told if church would be done my way, we would most likely sing one maybe two worship songs max. This would be the musical stance at the Church of Kevin, despite the fact that God has moved me deeply, from time to time, via musical worship, and my knowledge that it is pleasing to the Lords' spirit to lift our voices up to Him in praise and adoration "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" -Psalm 95:1- The reason for the disconnect is because church is meant to be about Christ not ourselves.
Reflecting on how God has worked in my musical life has made me ask two main questions to filter my thought process through. One: how do I handle rebuke? Do I handle it like a fool, ignoring it, or like a wise man, learning from it? "Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you," -Proverbs 9:8- Two: is my faith for my self-indulgence or for His edification? It is true that true faith is living a life we were designed for, therefore we will be most satisfied as we are glorifying God. On the other hand it is false to assume we have faith to make life easier.
Anyways, this whole post was inspired because, as you most likely know, I am going to Ireland and I started looking for Irish Christian bands. I am sure that the musical atmosphere will be as different as I have been discovering that the culture is. I am excited to embark in a completely different worship experience, musical and otherwise. I am also pleased to inform you that I have found an awesome Irish Christian band called Rend Collective Experience, and posted one of my favorite songs below. Speaking of Ireland, I am still pretty short financially (less than half funded) so if you can support me in that way it would be much appreciated. Simply go to www.whm.org/give/give-to-a-missionary, then click on my name, Kevin Palcsak. Thank you in advance for the ways that you are partnering with me in God's mission in Ireland.
