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The intention of these kingdom fasts is to build solidarity among those who are fasting as they remind their bodies (flesh) that their spirits are in charge – and that both body and spirit are to be under the Lordship of Jesus. The hunger or difficulty of going without a good thing serves us to long for the most rewarding and best of all things and all persons – Jesus Himself.

April’s fast: produced music.

I started to open my iTunes for some background music as I wrote this post. Then I realized it seemed inappropriate.

I love music. I popped out of the womb into a family that had tunes rolling at home and in the car. We played on the worship team every chance we got. I remember buying an MP3 player in the early days of digital music so I could take it with me anywhere. It could hold about twenty songs, and it was so cool.

I run, and I like to do it with music. Music motivates me, helps me focus, and draws me to new places with God. I love flipping on the latest album from Bethel, Hillsong (or maybe Taylor Swift) as I go about my day.

The Flipside

Sometimes, listening to all that perfectly produced music can make me afraid of my own voice. It would be easy to walk into every worship situation expecting all music to sound like a CD. I love the beauty of a full set of instruments and a choir, but there is also beauty in something more raw.

Like the sound of voices lifted up together over the car horns of a North African city.

Or drowning out the call to prayer in ruins from Biblical times.

Voices from many places straining to follow a language in which they are not yet comfortable.

For the month of April I let go of the music I would listen to on my commute, during a run, or as I work. I have the opportunity to listen for the song the Spirit sings over me in those times instead. When I join with my brothers and sisters in worship, I get to find greater joy in the sound we raise together.

True Worship

As I enter into simpler forms of worship, it calls me into simplicity in every area. Where else am I allowing sound to drown out the voice of God?

It also reminds me that worship is so much more than music.

Everything that I do can be an act of worship to God. So when I resist the urge to put on a song while I make dinner, I can remember to cook to His glory. As I run in quiet silence, I can turn my mind to His wonder.

This month, I’m letting the music fade, and instead I will worship the Lord with my voice, my heart, and my life.

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