I’ve been thinking a lot lately, about the dramatic type of lyrics we tend to sing in our worship songs.
How many times do we sing HUGE statements that we ‘kind of’ mean, but kind of don’t?
When we sing things like ‘I surrender all’, do we really mean it, or is it more of a feeling in the moment, than a genuine promise to God?
Should we aim lower with all the statements and promises we make in our songs?
(“Nothing I desire compares with you” – really?? “You’re all this heart is living for” – really?? “You’re all I want” – really??)
I think it’s great that we sing these huge statements, as we aspire to fulfil them and mean them. It shows the desire is there. But I just wonder whether it’s worse to sing them and not ‘do’ them, than to sing something less grandiose in the first place.
Maybe that’s where honesty comes in.
Perhaps more honest lyrics would say ‘I’m trying to surrender everything’ or ‘I want you to mean more than anything else’.
They doesn’t sound as epic and amazing, but maybe that’s more the way we need to be writing worship lyrics… then those in the congregation whose feet are rooted firmly in reality, will be able to sing along without thinking ‘I don’t mean this yet, so I can’t really sing it’. I want to lead and write worship that is deeply honest… so I’m thinking a lot about how we do that…
Thoughts??? I’d love to hear your reflections on this topic!
- Vicky
I agree. I find it so hard to sing some songs because, like you said, it’s more a case of really wanting to but not quite making it. Do you think it makes us feel sort of second rate if we see lyrics that a super christian has obviously written and we are probably the only ones who can’t get there? I’m wanting to learn to compose. Maybe that will be my project; to write about my journey to become the woman God wants me to be.
I totally agree.. Like “every step i take I take for you Jesus”. I said to my friends ‘can we really say that?” They retorted” oh, well, it’s out hope” But like you I’m thinking lets sing it- and write it - real.