The New!

Hey, so I have a question. Why is it that we are so attracted to new things? We like new possessions like new clothes, cars, books, and movies. We like new ideas and music, new trends and fads, new cultures and languages. It seems that we all love things that are new. Sometimes even the most ordinary items can have an extra glissen when their new. Last year I had to write a report on book for my American history class and I ordered it on Amazon. When it got to the house I opened up the package and it was the brand spankin new book (that's it to the right, sweet eh?). I was actually excited to hold this new textbook, that was at least until the realization that this book meant that I could start my fifteen page paper. The point is vaild however, we LOVE the new. I think that this love is God given. Why?

Because, when we direct this desire towards God, it leads to better worship. Some people might be "but I like the old stuff" and their right. Hymns and even older contemporary worship has its place. A connection with a worship song that God has used to speak into your life is, at times, almost as powerful as a memorized scripture that God has used to convict, encourage, or guide you in times of need. At the same time, however, God only gives two statments about the type of worship that he wants from us: loud and new. Psalm 33:3 says "Sing to him a new song" and Psalm 40:3 says "he put a new song into my mouth, a song of praise to our God" and finally Psalm 96:1 says "Oh sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth". So the reason that this desire for the new is God given? God himself says to bring the new stuff.

Why though? Why does God want new? I mean, Amazing Grace is good and so is Blessed Be Your Name. Why can't we continue with the best rather than the new. Because, by asking for the new, God destroys our stagnation. All worship, not just hymns, is in danger of falling into ritual rather than authentic, outward rather than inward. New worship pushes us out of our comfort zones, the songs that we know and that we have memorized and into a place where reliance is once again placed upon God. I believe that God asks for new worship because new worship reminds the worshipper that that its about God, rather than about their own needs and wants (and that's why my gratitude goes out to the worship leader that, although skillful, points the worshipers to God rather than their own skill). Don't get me wrong, I have my favorites, but how many times have I let that hinder my worship by not appreciating the songs being brought by the worship leader.

So following along with John 4:24, where Jesus says "God is spirit and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth", we need return to God centered worship where we worship God for who he is not because of the song that appears on the screen. New worship is our chance to do that with humility, authenticity, and obedience.