As I mentioned in the previous post I want to address this thing called “emotions” that tend to arrise when we listen to and/or make music. Joss Stone said that music is emotional and that drives what she says and does musically. It seems to be her compass for singing, writing and performing.
I understand this completely. As an artist I really believe you have to be honest with where you are at. (Not plastic and artificial is as the temptation of many in ministry.) Music has a magical key that unlocks something inside of us and out pours whatever is going on inside of us, anger, depression, longing, joy, confusion, anticipation….
Music posseses the properties to allow us to emote. Emotions are the blood of the spirit and a vital part of health. But the risk is that we can become ruled by them.
What happens when we then use our emotions as a spring board for actions and behavior? Is the purpose of emotions just to allow them to run amuck?? I don’t feel like doing laundry….ever…what if I never do it? Instead of stuffing my frustration over this weekly necessity I need a place to free it and surrender it to something more sufficiently wise and purposeful than myself. I believe that place is Jesus.
In worship, whether in a group or privately, emotions can arrise that desperately need to be experienced. But what do we do with them once we face them?
Too often I’ve seen worship sets go on and on because the leader needs to have a cathartic experience of his or her own as their emotions emerge. Honestly, sometimes this feels selfish. I guess I hold to the thinking that a worship leader is a role of servanthood. Reading what the people engaged in worship need from the Lord. Listening to the prompt of the Holy Spirit. Or I’ve witessed dramatic exchanges between people in context to worship music where the issues of life seem to explode with drama in a self grandious kind of way, when to me, it’s not that big of a deal. I wondered if someone just needed some attention.
Ok I sound harsh. I don’t mean to.
I just wonder about why God allows the music to trigger our emotions if He didn’t want us to go somewhere with them? Paul writes so much about our hearts being protected and placing everything under the authority of Christ. Perhaps we are to do the same with the feelings that eep out as we sing, play and listen to our music.
I fully believe that we need to become a people (Christians) more in tune with our emotions. So much relational damage has been done because of the coldness in our hearts. But I also believe that when we do finally begin to “feel” that we bring our emotions to Jesus. When Jesus chose the road of suffering He clearly didn’t feel good about it. Yet He addressed his emotions and did what He was convicted to do.
Perhaps this is not an issue for you? Perhaps this is one of those things that pertain more to women? I don’t know?
But I do know that music creates a pathway to allow our emotions to shake loose in an authentic way. Emotions give us insight as to the condition of our souls, lives and relationships. Once we acknowledge where we are at, we are free to entrust our emotions to Jesus and choose to behave, make decisions, interact and deal with life a little more exposed, yes, but in cooperation with Christ. Making the experience of following after Him a little more sweet and intimate because our emotions are cradled in the arms of the One who holds them so dear.
