Music With a Message

In a recent post we mentioned a surprising moment at a local bar -- when an injured man gave us two dollars for the jukebox and said, "Play something country."

So we walked over, did some quick searching (during a short break at the poker tournament) -- and decided to hunt by artists. While we don't listen to a lot of country music these days, we know several singers have hits which can be taken in religious ways.

First: Brooks and Dunn. We couldn't find the song with the refrain about believing "the words written in red" -- as in what Jesus is quoted as saying in the Bible. But we found a song called "Play Something Country." Ta-da -- our man's request was met immediately.

Second: Carrie Underwood. We wanted the most clear-cut "Christian country" song of recent years, "Jesus Take the Wheel." We sang along with it quietly when the poker tournament resumed -- and as it happened, we made a big rally in the blinds.

Our choices (six for two dollars) were more mainstream country after that, with no songs sticking out as "message songs." Only as we write this does Josh Turner's "Long Black Train" come to mind.

After we were eliminated and the musical "six-pack" was through, we went back to the man we served. He was impressed with the Brooks and Dunn song, meeting his request word-for-word.

"What did you think of that second song?" we asked. He noticed it, and said he agreed with the message behind it.

"Has Jesus ever come to your aid?"

"Yeah. Probably ten-thousand f***ing times."

Hopefully he didn't use that sort of language in thanking God and Jesus for assistance (assuming he offered thanks at all). But we all face moments in life where we should admit we need heavenly help.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. -- II Corinthians 12:9

The apostle Paul faced a lot; read verse 10 for a short list. Yet he looked in faith to Jesus when times were hard -- just as Jesus looked to God the Father:

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. -- Hebrews 12:3