I LOVE kid's praise music.
There. I said it.
I love listening to kid's praise music - specifically Donut Man. (For those of you who don't know him, look up the music. It will change your life!)
Anyway - I never outgrew listening to Donut Man music. Once the cassettes gave out (and I have nothing to play them on anymore), I took to buying the CDs. I listen to all types of Christian music - hymns, contemporary, Christian rock, alternative, etc. But I always come back to those kid's praise choruses and Bible story songs.
But why? I am 26 years old. I'm getting married this summer. I have a full time, grown-up job (ok, so I work at an elementary school, so not TOO grown up). I should be long past this phase, and thinking of kids praise music only in terms of what my future children will be listening to (Donut Man, obviously.) Ironically enough, the reason why came to me while listening to one of my CDs.
In children's praise music, the themes are so simple: God is in control; we only need to trust Him. God will provide for us; we need to have faith. God has done so many wonderful things; He is trustworthy and true. Jesus died for our sins so that we can be reconciled to God. God loves us; He will never leave us; we need to follow His Word. No matter what happens, no matter how scary something seems, God is always near, and He is for us. Etc, etc, etc. As a child, this is something that seemed easier to accept than it does as an adult. When I was a child, and heard this music about trusting God and letting Him be in control, I was overwhelmed with peace and security. As an adult, though I still know these things, my tendency is to think, "Yes, God is in control, but....I need to do....I need to figure out....etc." The stakes seem so much higher, and everything seems so much more complex. But is it really?
I think this is part of what Jesus was talking about when He said that we needed to enter the Kingdom of God as a child. We are called not to be "child-ish" but "child-like." A child is completely and totally dependent on his or her parents (or other major adult caregiver). A child can understand and accept letting go of fear and letting God take the wheel, because this is no different than his or her current situation in life - only better, because God doesn't make mistakes, and is powerful and never fails. As we get older, more and more decisions in life become ours to make, and we begin to depend on ourselves. Now, we are made to grow up and stop depending on our parents for everything, but we were also created to wholly depend on God. We were never intended to do anything without Him ("In Him we live and move and have our being.") Trials and troubles in life are not a sign we need to try harder, but a reminder of our dependence on God.
Throughout the years, the same truth has impacted my life in different ways. The meaning of these Biblical truths apply differently at 7, 15, and 26, and I'm sure they will take on different meaning at 30, 45 and beyond. For example:
"When fear and doubt surround me all about
and the enemy's camp is near
Say that Jesus in me is greater than he
who lives in the world!
The victory is mine but the battle is the Lords
Hosanna! Hosanna!
No enemy can stand when His praise goes forth
Hosanna! Hosanna!"
At 7 years old, this meant that when I am scared of the dark, or afraid of someone laughing at me because I love Jesus, it is okay, because Jesus is greater than the enemy, and I am protected.
At 26, this means that those dreams God has put in my heart, and the tasks He calls me to do are within reach - not by my power, but because He is in me, and He is on my side. I don't have to fear failure, trials, uncertainty, because "the victory is mine, but the battle is the Lord's." Fear and doubt have as little power now as they did then. The stakes seem higher, but God remains the same. The temptation is to let myself believe that it's not so simple anymore. That's a lie. It IS that simple. Child-like trust and dependence upon God is ALWAYS what we have been called to.
The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippian church: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, but prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7). Paul wrote this to a church people in a hostile, dangerous situation. As most well-know, the Roman empire was not exactly a conducive place to be a Christ-follower. Yet, Paul does not give them a detailed list of how to overcome any fear or anxiety they have, or how to solve all their problems. He simply tells them "Don't be anxious, pray and give it to God, and He will give you His peace, a peace the defies all understanding." (paraphrase). Simple solution to a seemingly overwhelming problem.
No matter how complicated life seems, the truth remains so beautifully simple. God IS in control. God WILL be victorious. Trusting what Christ did on the cross and His resurrection IS the way of salvation. The truth can be hard to hear, because complexity and chaos shout from all directions, and fear and doubt whisper paralyzing lies. Pride winds its way into our heart. All these things make it so hard to hear the simple truth. Spend time at the feet of the Master. Hear what He has to say. Read His word, and always come with the heart of a child.
So go and be childlike, my brothers and sisters. Live a life of simple trust and obedience, and see what God brings forth through your life. (And don't forget to listen to Donut Man music! ;) )
