Poles

Once there was a father who brought his daughter to the parking lot of a nearby water park, empty because it was closed for the season. They were there to teach her how to ride a bike.

The father thought, "there is so much asphalt here, she is going to be a bike champion!"

The daughter pointed to a single object in the parking lot, "what is that?"

"That is a pole," the father replied.

"Am I going to hit it?"

"No you won't."

"I'm going to hit it..."

The father positioned his daughter and the bike upright, and let go. The girl bee-lined toward the pole.

BUMP

The father rushed over to his daughter, who had already started tearing up with a pouted lip.

"I told you I was going to hit the pole!"

"You only hit the pole because focused on it."

(Adapted from Dr. Charles Lowery)
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The moral of the story is there are many poles in our life, things that are necessary and take away from our relationships with God and with other people, that we focus on. Here is an example that I've encountered recently that surprised me.

Division over Christian Music:

This week marks the first week I've heard anyone call songs by Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Kristian Stanfill "secret guilty pleasures" (source - JS Park). I didn't even know that there could be "fake" Christian songs and "real" Christian songs (source - Michael Gungor). Who determines what songs are supposed to bring glory to God and what songs do not? What is wrong with songs that sound similar to pop culture songs? Historically many Christian hymns were based off the tunes of that time period, some literally the same tune but different lyrics.When did superior art and creativity directly correlate with how efficient it brings people to God or how sincere/honest the song is? Can a song even bring someone to God in the first place? I like what Jon Foreman says about this topic:

"You see, Jesus didn’t die for any of my tunes. So there is no hierarchy of life or songs or occupation only obedience. We have a call to take up our cross and follow. We can be sure that these roads will be different for all of us. Just as you have one body and every part has a different function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each of us belongs to all the others. Please be slow to judge ‘brothers’ who have a different calling (source)."

When the Musicians and singers are anointed, the river of the Holy Spirit flows through the melody and the harmony, using the music to refresh and flood His people. Each note and each word are like fresh water in the middle of a desert. On the other hand, when the music does not have the touch of God, despite its beauty and careful arrangement, it feels hollow, empty, and dead. Only the Spirit of God can impart life. - Pablo Perez

A youth knelt down to pray and said, “God, I can sing so well I wish to sing for you. I can dance so well, I wish to dance for you. I can play music so well, I wish to play for you. I can think so well, I wish to invent for you. There are so much I can do for you. Please use all my giftings for your purpose and glory. I want to give you my best. God answered, “My child, thank you for willingly offering all your gifts to me. But those are not your best. Your best is your LIFE. Will you surrender your LIFE to me. When I have your LIFE, I have everything. I am interested in who you are not what you have. "What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God." - Eleanor Powell

From how I see it, all music belongs to God, and music should be used to give Him praise (as stated in the Bible). Music, especially "Christian music," should be sung with God in mind and for God, not for ourselves. As I have said before, it is what our heart's desire is when we sing that determines whether the song is truly "Christian" or not; that we singing or listening it for God's sake instead of ourselves.

"Too many equate being emotionally moved by music as being moved by the Spirit, but these are not the same. Real worship happens when your spirit responds to God, not some musical tone. In fact, some sentimental, introspective songs hinder worship because they take the spotlight off God and focus on our feelings." - Rick Warren 

A reminder on the purpose of worship, not for the self-satisfying good feeling, or to appreciate a well played/put-together set, but to center our hearts and worship God. - Andy Kim

Anyways, here is a "cheesy" song by that "mainstream" guy Matt Redman that speaks about the VERY reason why we have Christian songs in the first place (his story here http://worshipleader.com/songstory/).

"The Heart Of Worship"

When the music fades
and all has slipped away
and I simply come.
Longing just to be
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,
Your looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

King of endless worth,
no one could express
how much you deserve.
Though I'm weak and poor,
all I have is Yours,
every single breath!

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,
Your looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

It is not about the how well the music was arranged or delivered, its not about the how touching the lyrics are, its not even about the testimony behind the creation of the song. It is all about Jesus.

Through these quotes and remarks, I just wanted to point out that we as brothers and sisters in Christ should not let such a reason divide us. Focus on God's glory and don't sweat how God uses other people or callings.