There is an constant discussion (argument?) about modern worship these days. Is it really worship? Should we sing these songs at all? Shouldn't we just go back to the time-tested hymns?
It made me think. Why do a lot of people these days gravitate toward these songs, their music and lyrics?
Well, I had a thought. (shocker, right?)
A common and somewhat funny moniker used these days is the phrase "meh.". You can almost see the person just shrugging their shoulders while saying it. As I look around I see a lot of apathy. It seems to be borne out of frustration for everything going on in the world, pushing many towards this emotionless, helpless feeling where nothing seems to make a real difference.
Then look at this same group of Christians in the context of modern worship. What do we see? Passion!! Emotion!! Desire!! Hope!!
True emotions and passion, wrapped around the heart of their Creator.
Maybe what is being craved is a 'connection' with their Lord and Savior; a sense that He is there and brings passion, meaning, emotion, desire and hope to life.
Of course many do find that emotion and passion in the hymns, I'm not discounting that. And, it would be far too broad of a stroke to say that an entire generation isn't smart enough or intellectual enough to enjoy the lyrical content of hymns. To the contrary, I think many of them have genius inside of them and could pick apart Wesley's hymns in stride. But, the desire, the craving may be for something that is missing in our culture today. Much of this culture is drawn to a modern sound and loves the heart-to-heart passion contained in the sometimes simple lyrics of this new, "modern" worship.
It's just a thought, but maybe....