Song Thoughts- “Instead of a Show”
Aug 8, 2008 Uncategorized
Posted by
Russell Martin
by Russ Bowlin
I was recently introduced to a song that challenges the way we live our Christian lives. Jon Foreman is the lead singer of Switchfoot, but recently began releasing solo EPs (6 song CD). ”Instead of a show” is written from God’s point of view as he expresses his dissatisfaction with our worship and the fact that the other parts of our lives don’t line up with the way we worship. I encourage you to visit Jon’s Myspace and listen to “Instead of a Show” for yourself- just scroll down a bit, double click on the title and it should start playing.
There are numerous things that I think are very powerful (and convicting) in this song. The first one is calling worship a “show.” Not only does this allude to the fact that God may despise ‘productions’ of worship, but also that God hates inconsistency- we should be praising God everywhere we go and in everything we do. Another part that caught my attention was the thought that God would actually “stop up [God's] ears when [we're] singing…” them (hymns/worship songs).
Russ Bowlin is the youth director at Williams Memorial UMC in Texarkana Tx. He shares a weekly devotional called “Observations and Devotions” as well as writing for the Williams E-votional
Related Posts
- Free Stuff: Song-Breathe Your Love In Me
- Kerri Crocker
- Green Props
- How To – Youth Worship in a Small Church
- A Wednesday Funny
Tags: blogs, CD, Church, Devotional, Russ Bowlin, Songs, Thoughts, video, Worship, Worship Leader, youth
August 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I enjoy Jon Foreman’s EPs. I always wonder, though, when I hear people say that a particular song or artist changed their lives. Often it seems it would be more accurate to say that the artist helped them think about things differently, but changing lifestyles is something else entirely.
As a worship leader, I suspect you face the same challenge. Good luck!
August 10th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Janet,
Yeah I am reminded of the scripture in James that says If we don’t do what we hear, it’s like looking in a mirror and forgetting what we look like. It could be a scripture, sermon, story or song that inspire us, and make us look at something different, but unless we take action and do something it really doesn’t matter much.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:13 am
janet- I think that as worship leaders we should periodically remind ourselves and others what the message or point of a familiar song is. The great thing about introducing new songs is that it forces his to think about what it is saying. As far as changing lifestyles- we are called to live a life that is abnormal(according to the world)and as worship leaders, we are called to assist people in leading a life that is constantly seeking perfection.