Country Songs Tell Stories

My longest stint in broadcasting was at an FM country music radio station in the Midwest. I've always been ecclectic when it comes to music, but it was during those years that I grew to really appreciate the lyrics of country music. It's been 20 years since then, but I love the country genre even more. I know some people can't stand country music for many reasons, and some still call it "country & western", or "twang". However, many suburban and urban dwellers have come to appreciate the authentic and soulful lyrics that not only tell stories, but deal with real life issues. Songs dealing with life issues from the ridiculous and sublime to the most difficult circumstances. A song about Mama's cookin' can be followed immediately about a song describing the loss of a loved one, or the details of a messy divorce. Just like life, some are pretty, joyful and even funny, but others are dark, sad and dreary. Many of these songs tell stories about people of faith, God, and Jesus Christ (e.g., Carrie Underwood's, Jesus Take the Wheel).

The latest Brooks and Dunn hit, "Believe," is a great example. It recounts the life long relationship between a young boy and an old man whose had his share of life challenges. The singer is reflecting on his experiences and the life lessons he learned from the old man. When the young boy asks the old man how he has coped with serious life troubles and pains, the elder shares that his faith, the Bible, worship and the promise of eternal life have enabled him to keep living.

Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton have a duet entitled, "When I Get Where I'm Going," a powerful song stressing the perfection of heaven and the absence of earthly pains and trials. The song notes that earth isn't the final destination and greater things await in heaven.

These are just two examples you can hear right next to Toby Keith's carousing songs and Kenny Chesney's songs about the fast life. What a witness! The late author Bob Briner ("Roaring Lambs") said the church desperately needs more people of faith working in the secular culture. He maintained that Christian doctors, lawyers, artists, secretaries and carpenters can have a far greater impact on the culture than just those who are called to full-time vocational ministry. These two song writers and the musicians who recorded them are reaching far more people than I will through a lifetime of teaching and preaching.

Just like Jesus, these soul poets tell of something far greater and glorious as they live in the middle of a decaying culture. They aren't isolating themselves to a "holy club", but are making an impact on a culture that desperately needs the hope of Christ. I close with the chorus from "Believe":

I raise my hands, bow my head,
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red,
They tell me that there's more to life than just what i can see,
Oh i believe.....