Have you ever listened to mashups? They are when you take two (or more?) completely different songs and play them together to get a "new" song. Like Jay-Z and Frank Sinatra. Or Madonna and the Beatles. Or in my case Katy Perry and Kari Jobe.
I have Katy Perry on my workout play list. I have always liked her "Firework" song. In many ways, I think of it as the new age version of "This Little Light of Mine". The lyrics have a way of energizing me [Do you know that there's still a chance for you - you've just got to ignite the light and let it shine...it's always been inside of you and now it's time to let it through]. Then there is the other end of the spectrum - cause post-sweat I like to listen to a more peaceful tune. Right next to Katy Perry on my list of artists is Kari Jobe, a Christian singer with the most unique voice that often lulls me to sleep on the nights my husband is on travel.
I chuckled when I noticed that they were the only artists in my music choices that started with a "K". They couldn't be more different. Katy Perry makes headlines when her marriage ends and raises eyebrows with some of her bold lyrics. Kari Jobe leads thousands in worship through song.
But they both inspire me - so I tried an experiment I sometimes do. I made a mash up. [I discovered how to do this by accident: if I open multiple tabs in my browser and hit the play button on more than one sound file/video they ALL play at the same time]. You never know what you are going to get - it can be awful (and often is) - but every now and then these odd combinations turn out some really funky yet appealing tunes.
It got me to thinking about the current state of the church (as opposed to the State of the Union we heard last night). I have spent a bunch of time recently reading books and listening to people talk about how we need to use the good things churches have done in the past, yet be open to new ideas in a rapidly changing culture - all with the purpose of sharing the hope of our faith.
The overlap of recognizing the past, yet making change for the future is not always welcome. It can create a little chaos. It's a bit like a mashup. You never know what you are going to get unless you try. But, sometimes, you end up making beautiful new music.
