More Than Music: An Excerpt from Overflowing — Carol McLeod Ministries

June is new baby month for me! That’s right … I am birthing a baby this month! 

Oh … not the kind of baby that is up all night … wants to eat non-stop … or poops and burps. 

I am giving birth to a brand-new book … and the joy is enormous! 

As you know, my call in life is to present the eternal truth of scripture in a hopeful, personal, and practical manner. I deeply desire for the words on every page of the Bible to come alive in your heart and to mean something impactful to you. 

That’s why I write. That’s why I speak. That’s why I teach. That’s why I podcast. That’s why I blog. 

That is my “why”. 

But … back to the baby … 

Everybody loves to hold a new baby, don’t they?  

Anyone with half a heart loves to “coo” … and “ooh and ahhh” … and dote on a new baby. 

So … here is YOUR chance to enjoy my new baby. 

Every week this month, I will be sharing with you a short excerpt from my new book, “Overflowing – Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture.” 

I hope that it will whet your appetite just enough to propel you to buy a copy for yourself … and maybe one for a friend. 

Would you pray about using “Overflowing” as a Bible Study in your small group or at your church? We have formatted the book in a daily, easy to read style. You can also order the video downloads to go with the book. 

So … here we go!  

Welcome to the world, “Overflowing!” 

I have often thought if I could travel through time to any other period in history, I would certainly want to experience the days of the early church. Wouldn’t it be amazing to experience the joy that was captured in a first- century worship service? I wonder if they used musical instruments as we do today, if they took up an offering, and how they prayed for the sick in their midst. I have often wondered how loud they prayed and about the vitality that must have filled those ancient yet active churches.  

Are you ready to travel through time with me? Through the words of Scripture, we will experience a worship service typical of a first-century gathering. The verses we will embark upon today are the actual lyrics to one of the most popular hymns during this time period. I hope your heart is beating wildly, as mine is, as we eavesdrop on the hymnology of the early church.  

More Than Music  

Music is a highly controversial matter in the church today. Most of the younger generation prefer their music loud with a strong beat while the older members of a congregation may lean toward the hymns accompanied by only a piano or organ. In some regions of the country, churches tend toward a jazz flair; while in other regions, the worship may sound closer to a folk or country sound.  

I have always been rather eclectic in my taste in music. As a pianist, I have learned there is enormous beauty in a variety of styles, tempos, and sounds. However, one aspect of Christian music in which I am uncompromising is the lyrics. It is vital that the lyrics sung by believers in the car, in a concert, in the shower, or in a church setting must communicate solid, biblical theology.  

We will discover wonderful theology in the lyrics of this glorious hymn sung by believers in the first-century church:  

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him. (Colossians 1:15–19) 

The hymns sung by the followers of “the Way” two thousand years ago were more than conduits of music; the lyrics of hymns were tools of instruction and a declaration of belief.  

As the persecuted Christians in the early church sang hymns of praise and faith at their weekly gatherings, they loudly proclaimed, “This is what we believe!”  

The Power of Lyrics  

Andrew Fletcher (1653–1716) was a hot-headed patriot who stood against the tide of corruption in Scotland’s last parliament. He wrote on a range of topics and quickly became known as one of the most astute political thinkers of the time.  

Sir Walter Scott described Fletcher in this way: “One of the most accomplished men, and best patriots whom Scotland has produced in any age.” 

One of Fletcher’s keen perceptions, which is as fresh and meaningful today as it was three hundred years ago, is this:  

Let me write the songs for a nation and I can determine the history of that nation. I don’t care who writes it laws. 

 Andrew Fletcher was deeply aware of the power that lyrics of anthems had on the soul of a nation and upon its churches.  

Fletcher is not the only philosopher who pointed out this same dynamic inclination.  

The words hymn writers and liturgists put on our lips in worship affect us profoundly: they teach us what to think and feel, the more effectively as they are put to music so we can hum them to ourselves whenever we are inclined. 

—Gordon Wenham 

Isn’t it true that on Tuesday morning or on Thursday afternoon, you are quietly singing the worship song you sang on church the preceding Sunday?  

When you are in the shower, you likely find yourself inwardly singing a song you heard on Christian radio just the day before.  

Often, when I am dealing with a painful situation or a challenging person, it is the lyrics of the great hymns of faith that I sang as a child in church that become my constant and my hope.  

The leaders of every great movement of God and the hearts of those behind every significant revival understand that hymns and spiritual songs are among the most valuable tools available to prepare people to live wholeheartedly for the Lord. The composers of classic hymns and contemporary worship music also know the lyrics of their compositions have the innate power to instill solid theology into the hearts and minds of congregations both large and small.  

Be Careful  

This chapter is, at its heart, an invitation to carefully consider the lyrics of the songs that fill your soul. Lyrics intrinsically hold the power of creation; they create the person you are becoming. The songs you sing today prophesy the theology you will adhere to tomorrow. Choose well, my friend. Choose well.  

Once Again  

Before we go any further in this week’s study, let us once again read the lyrics of this first-century hymn of faith:   

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him. (Colossians 1:15–19) 

Would you pause in wonder with me for just one more moment?  

Read the words of Colossians 1:15–19 aloud and remind yourself these were the lyrics sung by Christians who faced imminent persecution, separation from their families, and even a horrifying death. And yet, these Christians chose to sing their theology for all to hear. Will you do the same?  

PRAYER  

Jesus, I pray that my heart and mind will stay purely focused on you and firmly fastened on the theology found in Scripture. Today I do pray for my brothers and sisters across the world who are suffering. Be very close to them, Father God, and give them the power of the Holy Spirit to stand strong in their faith. I need that same power. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

WORDS OF WISDOM  

It is not sufficient to offer the empty vessel of our joy unto God, or our singing voice in musical tune only; but also it is required that we fill our joyful voice with holy matter and good purpose, whereby God only may be reasonably praised. 

—David Dickson 

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!