Tuesday, January 22, 2013

background~

Background, by Lecrae.
I could play the background. I could play the background. Cause I know sometimes I get in the way. So won't You take the lead, lead, lead, lead, lead. So won't You take the lead, lead, lead, lead, lead. And I can play the background, the background. And You can take the lead.  
It's evident You run the show, so let me back down. You take the leading role, and I'll play the background. I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines; I'm sticking to Your script, and I'm reading all Your signs. I don't need my name in lights. I don't need a starring role. And why gain the whole wide world, if I'm just gonna lose my soul. And my ways ain't purified, I'll live according to Your Word. I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard. So word to every dancer for a pop star, Cause we all play the background, but mine's a Rock Star. Yeah. So if you need me I'll be stage right. Prayin' the whole world will start embracing stage fright. So let me fall back and stop giving my suggestions cause when I follow my obsessions I end up confessing. That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact I'm who I are. A trail of star dust leading to the Superstar.
I had a dream that I was captain of my soul. I was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank. So I don't want to take the lead cause I'm prone to make mistakes. All these folks that follow me gonna end up in the wrong place. So, just let me shadow You, and just let me trace Your lines. Matter of fact just take my pen. Here, You create my rhymes. Cause if I do this by myself I'm scared that I'll succeed. And no longer trust in You, cause I only trust in me. And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction. Paving a road to nowhere. Pour your life out for nothing. You pulled my card, I'm bluffing You know what's in my hand. Me, I just roll to trust You, You cause the dice to land. I'm in control of nothing. Follow You at any cost. Some call it sovereign will, all I know is You the boss. And man I'm so at ease. I'm so content. I play the background like it's an instrument.
I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will and trust Your word. And I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred. And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games. Got plenty aims, but do they really glorify Your name? And it's a shame the way I want to do these things for You, yet, don't even cling to You. Take time to sit and glean from You. It seems that You were patient in my ignorance. If ignorance is bliss, its cause she never heard of this.

---------------------
What amazing and TRUE words. This song has spoken to me soo much, SO many times. It's so humbling. It makes me want to know God more. These words. They were all crammed into a rap song. Here's just a quick rant about rap music before I..."rap up". Haha. *PUN SIGHTING* No, I mean "wrap up". ;D Many people who I have talked to have said that they don't think "Christian" can be paired with rap music. "Why use the world's music?" I know. When someone first mentions rap, especially to conservative Christians, it strikes fear into the heart. First thing you think is probably Enimem or something. (By the way, I have never listened to Enimem and never will, thank you very much.) But after I found the Christian group, "Lecrae", my view has changed. I think that God can greatly use Christian rap music for His glory. He has spoken to me through many of these songs; they all make me want to know God more, and they draw me closer to Himself. They make me want to do radical things for Him and His glory. You know what's cool about these songs? A whole SERMON can be packed into one 5 minute song! There are so many good ones out there, and I think that a lot of Christians miss out because they throw the baby out with the bathwater. And, to answer the question, "Why use the world's music?" We are living in a new day in age. There are new styles of music, just as styles have changed over all of history. This generation listens to rap music, pop music, rock music, etc. How are we going to reach them with music if we use the kind of music that they never listen to? It all rotates around the nucleus : the words. And the words that I have heard in contemporary Christian's music are glorifying to God and advance His kingdom.

I'm probably going to get a lot of bad looks and flak for this. But I had to share what was on my heart. God is using these musicians for His glory. And I'm not saying you have to listen to Christian rap, like at all, I just wanted to say that God is with these artists.

Oh, and one last thing. I don't like listening to Christian rap too much because it bangs on my head after a while and gives me a headache, but the words in these songs are gems. :D

Here is the song that the lyrics above were from. :)
To infinity and beyond!
~Bethany 贝萨妮~

8 comments:

  1. Hi Bethany, I understand why you would like these words... they are humble and heartfelt. The reason why many conservative Christians do not care for the Rap music is mainly the beat. It is what the music does to one's emotions and how this music makes one want to move their body. I do not necessarily mean this particular song, but many of the other christian rap songs and artists.
    God created all people, and He created us with different personalities and expressions of our hearts. We have different cultures that come with diferent ethniticities. I am not sure what God will say about the differeing music sounds.. one day we will know as we see Him face to face.
    Here are some things to think about: When people go to Rap concerts... what are the people doing? How are they moving their body? Is it emotionalism or true worship to our Heavenly Father. I have seen "some" Christian Rap and Rock concerts and I saw lack of modesty, and lack of restraint of swaying of the hips and such. There is a difference between raising one's hands to the Lord verses moving one's hips to the beat.
    I LOVE music.... and I believe it is a beautiful gift that we are to use to honor God with. Music soothes my heart, and it can also wreck great havoc to my soul depending on what I listen to. My senses are on full alert all the time, and I am highly sensitive to my surroundings be it visual, hearing, smelling or touch. God allows us to grow and learn through these senses that He gives us. He desires us to be keenly aware and discerning holding all things to His Word and in prayer.
    The evil one is very deceptive and subtle. He will soften the corners of evil to draw us in. He will sing lullabyes to draw us, and slowly bring a little bit of his real purpose to the forefront as we are immersed and become desensitized.
    It is true that the words are the nucleus... they are the center of our thoughts as we listen to songs. Yet, because we are humans our whole bodies are engaged. Our minds could be singing beautiful words, and our bodies can be moving in sensual ways causing another to sin. There is a balance that only the Spirit of God can help us discern. This is why we must seek Him morning, noon and night.
    There are mega-churches in the USA that are overflowing with people that are embracing contemporary christian music every week, and these people do not look any different then the unsaved. They partake of everything the unsaved do. They dress as the unsaved. They talk like the unsaved... so are they saved? This generation as with all generations before have a rebellious spirit... we want what feels good, sounds good, looks good. It is our fallen human nature to "want" for ourselves.
    Blessings to you as you move forward seeking God in all things... with a heart desiring to honor Him. ~Miss Cher

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment, Mrs. Silvius! :)
      Thank you so much for stating your concerns! I totally understand what you are saying. Recently, I have been meditating a lot on the last sentence of the Lord's prayer - "Lead us not into temptation, and protect us from the evil one." You are right, satan is very subtle, and sadly, I have been his victim too many times. The thing is, whenever I listen to these songs, I'm brought back to God, reminded of His holiness and goodness and truth. But I totally understand about preferences, and about guarding ourselves from desensitization (sp?) and satan's lies. It is not really the rap sound that I enjoy listening to; I listen to these when I need spiritual encouragement...I feel like I'm listening to a sermon. :P
      Anyway, thank you again for your concerns, and, whenever you have concerns about anything, please leave me a comment! I greatly welcome any advice or rebukes - anything that will strengthen me in my walk with Christ and bring me closer to Himself!

      Delete
    2. I hope you did not take that as a rebuke, I was only sharing my thoughts on this topic as it is one that weighs heavy with me. I have been around the block with contemporary christian music for many moons... and many blessings have come through these artist. Yet, I have also seen emotionalism, feel-goodsim, and "God accepts us all" within the circles too. Many artist dress immodestly, and their music cover photos look more like a fashion photo shoot for Vogue or GQ. This testimony passes on to their listeners. In my heart, if music is being made to honor Him... then we must Honor HIM in ALL things. I can go on and on about this (-;
      We live in a media driven frenzy world where "everything is acceptable", when in God's reality it is not. If we are truly following the Word of our Lord then unholy is unholy. I know we ALL fall short of the glory of God... but, if we are abiding in Him and He in us~ then our whole lives and testimony must show it.
      Keep moving forward in the light of our Lord's discernment <3

      Delete
    3. No, I didn't take it as a rebuke! :D I welcome any thoughts you have! :)
      I completely agree! Yes, I have seen that too, so I try to stay on my guard about which artists I listen to; I always do "background checks". :D
      Thank you! <3

      Delete
  2. I love this song! Great post!

    BTW, I just got started on Blogger (again). Follow back? (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, thanks! :D Sure, I'll def follow you back! What's your blog address?? :)

      Delete
  3. I enjoy this song too! The lyrics are so encouraging and a good reminder. :) I'm a big fan of Lecrae. He's so genuine and that is evident in the lyrics he writes.
    I don't listen to Christian rap all the time, but I agree with you that it is good music for uplifting and is so much like poetry/sermon put to a beat. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, "genuine" was the exact word I was looking for!! :)
      Another really awesome group that has mostly "laid-back" rap songs is "Amp"....they're an Asian-American group, and their lyrics are absolutely amazing!!:)

      Delete