Music plays an important role in our lives. It helps us express our hearts to God. And some music inspires us to change the world! So, this has me thinking about songs that challenge the leader in me.
Many songs inspire leaders, no doubt, but here are a few songs that are inspiring me these days …
By far my favorite song right now is the new release from Sara Groves called “When the Saints.” It’s from her upcoming CD, Tell Me What You Know.
“When the Saints” is full of so many biblical and historical references (listen for references to Jeremiah, Mother Teresa, Nate Saint and his family, Jesus, as well as the ones named, like Paul, Silas, and Moses); it’s so full of references, in fact, that Sara seems to hardly have time to take a breath! 🙂
All the words in this song are good, including …
And when I’m weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought, I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard, I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars, I see the shepherd moses in the pharaohs court, I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord […] and when the Saints go marching in, I want to be one of them.
I recently discovered Sara Groves when I heard her song “Something Changed” in the movie, The Ultimate Gift, which we wrote about previously. This song (which is on Sara’s Add to the Beauty CD as well as the soundtrack for the movie, The Ultimate Gift), too, is a good song for leaders, particularly Christ-following leaders who want to help others experience life change. The songs reminds us that change isn’t something we create, fake, or earn; rather, it’s a gift! Some songs inspire leaders to change the world for God!
And I cannot make it. And I cannot fake it. And I can’t afford it. But it’s mine
Another song we’ve discovered recently is “Little is Much” (from Wide-Eyed and Mystified) by Downhere. We used the song at Community Day in September. The song’s chorus states:
Little is much when God’s in it. And no one can fathom the plans he holds. Little is much when God’s in it. He changes the world with the seeds we sow. Little is much, little is much.
As a leader, I often feel the world is too big for me to change. This song reminds me that it’s not about me. It’s about God changing the world through the little seeds I sow!
Finally, a song that I listened to a lot a couple years ago during the merger process the Alexandria, Barree, and Petersburg churches were involved in, was “In Me” (from Lifesong) by Casting Crowns. Casting Crowns is one of our favorite groups and this songs says that when God asks me to go, “I’ll go but I cannot go alone.” It’s a good reminder for Christ-following leaders who are called to change the world!
Well, these are a few songs that inspire me to change the world for God. What songs inspire you?
Randy Willis
Pastor
Follower of Jesus. Husband to Joleen. Dad to Ethan & Sarah. Pastor to Wehnwood UMC.