When I was in highschool, everyday, I would play my guitar all alone in my room and sing to the Lord. One day, there were a couple of other Christian friends praying with me and we began to sing. When they heard me sing, they asked if I would bring my guitar and sing at their Bible study. One thing led to another and soon, I began traveling, singing in churches, retreats and youth group meetings. A short time later, I was in the recording studio, on television and the radio. How did it all happen? When did it stop? Did it ever stop or did things just get back to the way they should be?

I am spending more time in the closet these days.

Over the years, I have obviously spent much more time worshipping in private than I ever spent in the studio. Before each "performance" I would always find a place where I could be alone with the Lord. That time always was important to me, and still is to this day. Funny how people started out calling it a worship service and ended up calling it a performance. I have not been on the road for quite a while, but some people still tell me "You should do something with your music" like it has a value all its own. It is though I have a marketable commodity and should start my own "bless me club" or something. Not all good music should be on the radio. Read that last sentence again. I miss the old songs. I miss the spontaneous movement of praise and worship that I used to experience in the churches years ago. It took me a while to figure out what happened, but I am sure I have the answer. Praise and worship have come out of the closet. Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Our personal time with the Lord has left the closet and walked into the recording studio. Face it, Christian music is big business and praise music is a best seller. It doesn't take much effort to crank out a new CD these days. You start with someone who has a pretty boy voice with extra schmaltz. Add a few horns and a violin track, repeat the verses over and over, add a tagline and you have a best seller. Make sure you record the studio audience as they clap at the end of the song. Christians are buying CDs as fast as the the praise factories can knock them out. You hear the same soundtracks playing from the large, glass cathedrals, clear down to the small inner-city churches. Everyone feels the need to stay current with what others are singing. After all, we wouldn't want our church members to become bored with the old songs, would we? When was the last time your church sang from a hymnal? When was the last time, someone sang a song that was not a clone of every other praise song you have ever heard? When was the last time you heard soft music coming from the closet? Try something different. For one week, put all of your cassettes and CDs away. Turn your radio off and spend quiet time alone with God. That's right. No recorded music for one full week. Sometimes pray and sometimes sit silently before the throne. I guarantee you will experience something altogether different than you do when you crank up the volume on the latest addition to your praise collection. If after one week, you do not notice a difference, spend another week doing the same thing. This could take a while. Take the business out of praise and worship and put it back in the closet where it belongs. Jesus is waiting for you there.
"In your servant, be glorified today"
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Note: Dear Rod,
You have hit the nail on the head as the saying goes, Christianity is now very marketable how did the opposition sneek in without being noticed, how clever.
But you saw the light and kept your music for His blessed ear although heavenly soundswill ultimately be called upon to be shared with others.Enjoy the rest,
In Him who Loves beyond our understanding!
Rosalind

• Topic: Devotionals

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