“Ain’t it funny how a melody can bring back a memory? Take you to another place in time; completely change your state of mind.” – Clint Black (from the 1993 song “State of Mind”)
It is ironic that I write this lyric today. I have not listened to this country hit from my college days in at least a decade. Yet as I prepare for Sunday’s sermon at Wildwood Community Church, I find myself singing this song in my head … and I can do more than simply hum the tune, I know the words! I literally am singing verses AND chorus in my office as I write this! And as I sing these long remembered lyrics, it is ushering me back to my sophomore year of college. Ain’t it funny how a melody can bring back a memory? Take you to another place and time? Completely change your state of mind?
Music is like that – it is memorable … yet that is only PART of its super power.
Given this dynamic, it is not surprising that God INSTRUCTS His followers to sing. In response, every Sunday as a part of worship gatherings all over the world, Christians lift up their voices in song together.
As we begin 2024 at Wildwood, we are engaging in a series of sermons exploring the Whys of Worship. Why do we gather, why do we baptize, why do we share communion, why do we pray, why do we give, why do we have sermons … and, (specifically this Sunday, January 14) we will be looking at WHY WE SING.
Make plans to join us Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service as we look to God’s Word together (in Colossians 3:16), and sing a few melodies that will change our state of mind … and glorify the Lord. See you then … and bring friends!
So many people come in late so that they miss the singing. Your messages are always good Mark, but my highlight of the services is the singing and just worshipping our God. I may not sing good or loud but I do enjoy singing. Not the hymns so much, because I do not know the words, but so many of the simple songs of worship, where I can just close my eyes and sing to Him.
Thanks for the encouragement Mark!
Barry