A new song that gets kids asking the right questions!

 My kids love it when I get new music, because that usually means they get new music. So when I downloaded Matt Papa's new cd entitled "This Changes Everything" I was actually purchasing new music for the whole family!

We've all been listening to this great gospel-centered music a good bit over the past week, and let me say this: I highly recommend this cd! I believe it has already made it on my personal  "Best Albums of All Time List." What makes it so special is its musical creativity, gospel clarity, Keith-Green-like passion, and Christ- centered Crescendos! Also, my kids love it! What a blessing: It's about Jesus, it has delightful gospel depth and my kids love it. That makes it worth its weight in Wii.

Yesterday we were driving around town doing some shopping, so, of course, we were listening to our new cd. A powerful song called "Stay Away From Jesus" had just ended and my wife and I were discussing the peculiar potent message of this song when my six year old son asked the right question.

Let me give you a sample of the song...here's verse 1:

   You won't every hear this song on Christian Radio
   Cause the Jesus that I serve is not safe
   He'll say take your cross and die
   So if you want a comfy life
   Then stay away from Jesus
 

"Daddy, why is he telling us to stay away from Jesus?" Hudson asked.

That was the right question. But how would you explain the fact that following Jesus is costly to a six year old who has grown up in the rather comfy confines of American safety and prosperity (which, by the way, I am extremely grateful for!)? Or maybe you just wouldn't mention that particular facet of the gospel message.(?) Maybe we should just stick with the popular "If you want to go to heaven when you die, then raise your hand and come to Jesus..." approach, and not mention the parts about the way being narrow that leads to life, or the whole picking up your cross and obeying him stuff...Maybe we should just leave all that hard stuff out and give a more Veggie-Tale-ized explanation.

Of course, a gospel message with no mention Christ's right to reign over your entire life and mine is not actually the bible's gospel message. Leave out sin, the cross, repentance, the resurrection and the universal reign of Christ in this world and you've made up your own gospel.

My reply was something to the effect of, "Some people like Jesus but they don't want to obey Him. You can't have Jesus if you don't want him to be in charge of your life." So there it is.

I think our whole family has been able to process different aspects of the biblical gospel message afresh and anew as we have been worshiping along with Matt Papa in the car and in our home. I believe even my six year old has been struck by the weight of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a new way. Thank you Matt. Thank you Lord!!

Here's the song that got my six year old thinking deep, potent gospel thoughts!