Matt Redman’s new album ‘Unbroken Praise’, released this week, includes lines which speak very much to my heart; from the title song, he sings ‘Let my deeds outrun my words and let my life outweigh my songs.’ (‘Unbroken Praise’, Matt Redman) It’s very easy for our words and actions to be divided; Christians are often accused by others of hypocrisy and indeed whenever we say ‘do as I say, not as I do’, we run the risk of diminishing the power of our witness in the world. Matt Redman, when asked about the challenges of being a ‘famous’ songwriter, looked up to by many, said, ‘I can be known for being a songwriter and worship leader through music, but if my life and actions don’t complete the integrity of what I’m singing about it, then it’s not a very weighty offering. So that’s the main challenge, I guess. The late John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Church movement once said that “the real test in these days will not be in the writing and producing of new and great worship music – the real test will be in the godliness of those who deliver it.” That’s a huge challenge to all of us.’ (quoted in an interview here.)
This month’s prayer topic is focussing on our witness to the world, and the greatest witness we have is a congruent life, a life that reflects our faith at all times and integrates what we believe with how we live. That doesn’t mean having all the answers – just because we serve a God who is omniscient and omnipotent doesn’t confer those qualities on us! – and it doesn’t mean plastic smiles when tragedy strikes our hearts. But it does mean allowing a holy confidence in God’s goodness and sovereignty to act as the framework for our lives and allowing God’s word to get inside us ‘to form a life that is congruent with the world that God has created, the salvation that he has enacted and the community that he has gathered.’ (Eugene Peterson, ‘Eat This Book’). It means consistency, perseverance and hope being formed within us by the Holy Spirit so that others can see the reality of the testimony we bring.
‘I will stand, be still and know, whatever may come, You’re God in it all.
And so when I am in the storm, Lord, the storm is not in me.’ (‘Songs In the Night’, Matt Redman)
