Why Music is Popular and Preaching is Not.

Every now and again I turn my radio to the station that is playing the "new, popular stuff."  My motivations for doing this have changed over the years.  I used to be tired of Christian music, so I would go there to hear something with a cool beat or whatever.  Now, I go for different reasons.  These songs are on the radio for a reason.  People like them.  I want to know why.

After listening to a few songs, the answer is clear to me.  The artists are connecting with a message that attractively falls, not only on the ears, but also on the hearts of our present day culture.  Many of the artists are just being real, telling what they feel, experience and desire.  They are communicating the reality of the present human experience.  But here is the tragic note.  Though they are giving a true account of what life is like, it is a far cry from what is right.  Just because they can accurately describe what a life of broken relationships, drug addiction, life struggle and pain looks like, they provide no  true way out. 

Allow me to use an example in an attempt to make the point clearer.  Let's just say that the human condition is cancerous.  Most can feel the effects of the cancer.  Some even know they have it.  But let me ask you this:  Who do cancer patients want to listen to?  They want to listen to those who have cancer as well.  They want to have someone sit with them and tell them about their life and struggles with the disease.  Hearing what is real in the life of another often triumphs over what is right.  Here is where many sermons disconnect.

Many sermons, and many Christian messages for that matter, only speak of what should be, often to the exclusion of what is.  The Christian culture today is really good at standing next to the cancer patient while giving a proper diagnosis.  We may even be able to tell the cancer patient what to do with their condition.  But as we all know, once the doctor diagnoses problem and prescribes medication, we want them out.  They may know how to see cancer, but they don't know what its like to feel cancer.

So here we have the Christian on one end of the spectrum and the artist on the other end.  The Christian listens to Nelly's song "Just a Dream" and can quickly say, "Man, if he would only do this or that...or, If he would just realize that relationships go down hill if they don't have Christ in the center then...yada yada yada."  But Nelly looks at the Christian and says, "Man, do you have any idea what I have been through!  Yeah, you talk about this perfect life, but this is MY life...this is what is happening to me NOW.  What do you know about struggle anyway - it looks like you've got it all figured out!"

So what are we to do?  We have to get real and stop being afraid of looking like we actually know what its like to sin.  We have got to get messy.  We must communicate and live the gospel.  We must enter the hospital room as a doctor who is battling cancer.

Our message must be real...like a song.  The sad fact is, most of us are so unsure of our standing in Christ, that we are afraid to communicate that we, too, are all jacked up in fear that some may reject us.  We therefore remain the doctor who has the answers, and not someone who needs the answers ourselves.

We must be willing and able to empathize with the person who is struggling through life.  Willingness comes from a true love for them.  Empathy comes from a true knowledge of our own sin, a true humility in confessing our sinful condition, and a true love of what Christ has done to remedy that condition.  

As Christians, our life and message is more than a song.  We can weep with those who weep; but with hope.  Not only must we be real, we must place our faith, love and hope in He who is the Ultimate Reality and Righteous One.  Christ is more than merely human (being able to empathize with us); but He is God (being able to save us).

As Christians our life and message is more than a doctor's diagnosis and prescription; once doing his job he is off to the next patient.  Though he provides help for ones physical health, he is unable to provide true healing.  Christ not only commands us in the way we should go, but He is with us!  While being the Great Physician, He understands and is there, during our painful circumstances.

So, I challenge you Christian.  How do you communicate the gospel.  Does it connect with others...like a popular song?  Does it give the remedy and hope that we are all so desperately looking for...like a good Physician?  Let us proclaim the excellencies of our Great Savior!  Not only because we believe He can heal others, but because we know that He has healed us!