For the last several decades our culture has turned to embrace and fulfill any and all of our personal, selfish and individual desires. Some might attribute this movement to the 1960’s or the “Me Generation”. Perhaps there is some truth to this, but selfish behavior isn’t limited to any specific age, gender or generation. Christ demonstrated how we should be more concerned and willing to serve others (put ourselves last). Unfortunately and too often this ‘Me first’ philosophy has crept its way into some of the spiritual songs.
Now maybe I’m being too hard our some of the song writers over the years, but let me ‘push your thoughts’ and ask you to think about what we are singing and the message we give in our songs of praise and encouragement.
In 1949 Ira Stanphill (author of several hymns) wrote a very upbeat and energetic song entitled, Mansion over the Hilltop. A fun song to sing and one that we can find scriptural basis in John 14:1-3 when Christ said to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I’m going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” My concern with this song comes in the statement just prior to the chorus, “…but in that city where just ransomed will shine, I want a gold one that’s silver lined.” And verse two, “…I’m just a pilgrim in search of city, I want a mansion, a robe and a crown.” Forgive me if I come across too legalistic, but my thoughts have been leading me closer to thinking about and understanding what we’re singing.
Thirty-five years later, 1984, Sylvia Rose penned a song that we sing in some of our congregations today. A contemporary song that was written on request from her father. Though he wasn’t dying, Sylvia’s father asked her to write a song for his funeral. The song, “A Mansion, Robe and Crown” was the product of his request. This is another exciting, upbeat song and one that exudes a lot of energy. But again, look at the words; “I’m gonna trade my earthly home for a better one bright and fair…” True as it might be, my concern comes in from the bass line in the chorus, “Lord, I want a brand new mansion, robe and a crown in glory…”.
Is there anything wrong when we ask (say) that we want something from God? Certainly we petition our Father on a daily basis and without a doubt we’d be lost without seeking, asking for God’s grace and love. We have sung this song in church on occasion; but I still come back to ask…are we thinking about what we’re saying? In the three verses of this song you’ll notice “I”, “my” and “me” dominate the song. Sing this song and you’ll find these three personal pronouns 21 times. In a world that wants the focus and personal preference to go “MY way”, I hope to send a reminder that it’s not about me…