For This ReasonSample

For this reason, I SING

I love The Beatles.

Their experimentation has influenced EVERYONE that makes music today. The thing that really sets them apart though, is their positivity. Somehow, the most popular band of all time managed to become the global phenomenon that they are without making a career of cynicism.

I don’t know that they would have risen to the level of fame that they did, had they been making music today. Our culture really likes to brood in negativity. We think it makes us clever, more evolved, and deeper.

Being able to point out a problem doesn’t make you more woke.

It just means that you can see what’s wrong. That’s not a virtue, it’s an observation. What you do with your observations is what matters.

In the midst of a world obsessed with negativity, we are called to exhibit the characteristics of Jesus. In Galatians 5, Paul gave us a summary of Christ-like character when he listed the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Not listed: cynicism.

How do we overcome the cynicism that permeates our culture?

We are instructed to sing throughout scripture. It is a VERY common command. Why? Because its easy to forget the goodness all around us-goodness that is a gift from God-when so many voices are telling us that everything is awful. And we’re not just told to listen to a positive message. We are told to sing to God, to tell everyone of His wonderful deeds.

God knows that there is darkness in the world, so He tells us to shine. He knows that our minds will be bombarded with false messages and negativity, so He tells us to sing. We sing because He is good. We sing because we need to remember His goodness. We sing because sometimes we need to put beautiful words on our lips so that we can begin to see the beauty that surrounds us.

QUESTIONS:

1. REFLECT: Have you allowed cynicism a place in your heart? How is it preventing you from seeing God’s goodness?

2. APPLY: Even if you have a voice that shatters eardrums, sing to God, sing of His goodness.

3. PRAY: Father, may my eyes be open to the wonder and beauty that surrounds me. When others are discouraged, use me to point to Your goodness in their lives.