In the mid 80s, I was a new believer and was spending the summer in Dallas with a bunch of college students in this Christian summer training program. I was learning all kinds of stuff including getting exposure to a whole new genre of music- Christian Music. Now if I am honest I enjoyed the new tunes but they all sounded the same to me, and for years I put the Radio Version of Christian Artist in an a compartment of “enjoy but don’t listen to alot”. Sure I had certain songs that stirred my heart but overall I was unimpressed.
Fast forward 20+ years. Now I am a middle age man whose devotion life many time consist of listening to my local Christian station on the way to work. What changed? I admit that I have enjoyed the subtle shift of story telling songs where the artist tells me something to songs where I am a participant (i.e. worshipping God songs). But, there are still a few of the exhortation/inspirational ballads types still around. I think the biggest thing that has changed is me. I am looking for truth and inspiration anywhere I can get it. Sometimes, my 20 minute commute is my only chance to connect with Him. And I need to connect with Him everyday before my day starts. So, whether I am arising early and reading and meditating for hours like the spiritual giants of old (which doesn’t happen much) or catching a song on the radio. I am looking to connect. These days it seems like a lot of my inspiration is by the dashboard light. But that’s better than nothing don’t you think?
Life and times of the howitzers 