Kim Gentes

It seems that the last 40 years (and more) has given us many songs that articulate and celebrate God's presence among us.  Lyrics like "Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere", "When You walk into the room, sickness starts to vanish", and "I love, I love, I love Your presence", turn our awareness to the Emmanuel reality of God- that He is present with us.  These songs have been a blessing and I have enjoyed the benefits of them in our corporate worship.

But we have to continue to move forward in our musical liturgy so that our songs do not stop only at celebrating the joys and benefits of his nearness. Our repertoire must also guide us with songs that express how the soul responds and matures in God's presence. If the encounter of God's presence is a dynamic flourishing of the gifts of the Spirit, then the work of the same Spirit through such encounters should lead to the fruit of the Spirit.

Such encounters of the Spirit should not only inspire the gifts, but should lead to transformed character.  It is in this vein that I have recently been encouraged by the Chris McClarney song "Move" from the Jesus Culture album "Living with a Fire". 

As I listened to the song, I expected to hear about the joy of God's manifest presence. And while this is part of the lyrics, the punch line of the song is articulated first in the chorus, stating,

"So come move, let justice roll on like a river"

"When You move, the outcast finds a family

When You move, the orphan finds a home"

This, for me, brings the dynamic power of God's presence to its fully mature conclusion- that encountering God should change our hearts to be the good news, not just sing about it. That when God's spirit is manifestly present, people actually care for outcasts who show up at our doors and in our lives. That when His sweet Spirit inspires us, it eventually leads us to adopt the actual orphans who would otherwise be without a family.  These are the kinds of actions that demonstrate the chorus prayer "let justice roll on like a river" being answered through God's people answering the Spirit's unction and inspiration. 

If you haven't heard this song before, I'd encourage you to listen to it.  As a pastoral leader, I love seeing songs like this that move us towards an expectation not only of God's manifest Presence but his purpose through us in responding to that Presence.

Move

Chris McClarney, Jeff Pardo, Lindsey Sweet

Verse 1

When You move, darkness runs for cover

When You move, no one's turned away

Because where You are, fear turns into praises

And where You are, no heart's left unchanged

Chorus

So come move, let justice roll on like a river

Let worship turn into revival. Lord, lead us back to You

Verse 2

When You move, the outcast finds a family

When You move, the orphan finds a home

Lord, here we are, oh, teach us to love mercy

With humble hearts, we bow down at Your throne

Jesus

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