Baroni Bloggin’

 

I am reading the book “Walk On” about the spiritual journey of the members of U2. Though I am only into the early chapters, it is inspiring and

fascinating. I am also in a dialogue with my new son-in-law (who is from the U.K. and living here in Tennessee now) about the whole American church culture thing.

I remember watching Bono on C-Span (channel surfing and “accidentally” found it, trust me!) talking about the Aids crisis in Africa and what people can do about it. He was very succinct, intelligent, passionate and REAL. He talked about engaging politicians on both sides of the aisle and actually doing something to alleviate the disease, not just throwing money or well-intentioned words at the problem.

I see a parallel between U2 and where we are as those passionate about God and the worship life of the church.

As a songwriter, I firmly believe in the supernatural power of HolySpirit inspired words and music. Indeed we “live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” God’s people gathered in praise and worship to our Father and King is a vital part of the life of His Church.

But we can’t stop there…

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was sharply criticized and misunderstood by the religious establishment for socializing with those in the society who didn’t go along with the religious programs of that day, who didn’t speak “Christianese” so to speak. He said he came not to call the righteous (as they considered themselves), but sinners to repentance. He brings a new life, a new way of thinking, a fearless yet wise way to relate to his world and his people (The earth is the Lord’s and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24)

Not long ago, we celebrated the staggering love and humility of God…

a helpless baby born to an unmarried teenager in a stinky barn surrounded by livestock and within earshot of commoners-“low-class” sheep herders.

Sometimes we, the people of God, can be seduced into majoring on the minors. Light belongs in the darkness.  Now that the Word has been made flesh, let’s not be guilty of trying to make the flesh back into words again… as Bob Bennett so astutely warned himself and us not to… “mistake the very song I sing for the doing of the thing.”

I thank God for the gospel through the lives and music of U2. Just like all of us, imperfect and fallible, but they sure seem to get it… and give it!

May His incarnation be ongoing - not just in our songs and words, but in our everyday, ordinary, astoundingly precious lives.

God Bless You!

Emmanuel has come!

David Baroni

 

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 11th, 2006 at 6:42 pm and is filed under Random Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.