You NEED To Listen To Worship Songs!

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I began to listen to Worship songs, AND I’ve since realized that I’ve been missing out big time! Well, sort of. 

Growing up Catholic in Mexico, I knew there was a clear distinction between music or chants done at church and secular music at parties and radio. I had never thought that listening to worship music outside of the church was a thing people enjoyed doing in their free time. 

A few years ago, when I began to learn more about my faith and willingly allowed the Holy Spirit to dwell in me, I heard secular music differently. I was distraught by how crude the lyrics were. I kept skipping every song because they all had polluting messages. 

Okay, maybe not every song was terrible, but it still made me feel uncomfortable. Hearing music that encouraged cheating after walking out of daily Mass did not sit well with my soul. 

I began wondering why I would feel miserable listening to music that once initiated dance parties in my brain. One time, I actually took my headphones off because I could not believe what I was hearing. 

Explicit Content is Taking Over the World

I will say that music has become more explicit as time goes by. Back in the day, songs would allude to perverted ideas about relationships, dignity, self-respect, but now profanities are clearly the focal point.

This became more apparent the other day I was babysitting, and the kids asked Alexa to play KidzPop Radio. “Say So” came on, and I got worried for a second. The kids were carelessly singing along and dancing. I soon remembered that KidzPop censors songs, and after excessively sighing of relief, I tried to go along with the kids’ enthusiasm for the music.

However, it was interesting that the song repeated the chorus instead of adjusting the last few verses. Usually, they change up some of the words to make it kid-friendly, but the lyrics for that song were too vulgar. 

They are too many songs like that nowadays that I would not be surprised if Kidzpop had to come up with their own lyrics to accommodate the radio’s current pop music. 

Anyway, I love listening to music, so much so that it always takes part in my penance during lent, so I couldn’t just stop listening to it forever. 

Listening to Church Music Outside of Church?

I found peace while singing the songs we sing at church, so I began looking them up on YouTube, but I found really old versions to my dismay. 

The lyrics are beautiful, but I could not get myself to listen to them while hanging out with friends (that says something about my friend-choices, huh?). 

At this point, I began listening to various genres, such as soft rock, country, and even classical music. And for that, I am thankful. I had been very closed-minded and believed anything without a reggeaton/pop-like rhythm was old-fashion music. I know, ridiculous [insert rolling-eyes emoji].

So, now onto how I came across contemporary worship songs! 

It was one of those days where I got lost reading blogs on catholic dating advice. In it, it mentioned playing Audrey Assad’s music – If anyone comes across that blog post, please let me know! I tried searching for it and could not find it. Sidenote: her life story is also inspiring!

I immediately looked her up, and I was overwhelmed with excitement!! The first song I heard from her was I Shall Not Want. It is a beautiful song that anyone can apply to themselves no matter what they are going through.

But it was still a very calming song. I went through the recommended songs (I’ll create a list of the first modern worship songs I came across soon!), and I stumbled upon artists like Kari Kobe and Love & The Outcome. 

Soon after, I heard Jess and Gabriel’s Greater  EP. They covered some Christian songs with an upbeat remix. I enjoyed it a lot!! And it leads me to find more songs from Hillsong Worship and Red Rocks Worship.

Changing Gears: From Secular to Worship

Flash forward to today, and I no longer like to listen to secular music as much as I did just a few years ago. It is almost as if it was background noise.

Except for Lewis Capaldi’s music—that I can still listen to on a daily! 

With all this said, I want to point out that this is the music I listen to in my leisure time. The way I see it, they are a beautiful way of chatting with our Lord, but they do not elicit the same desire to pray as catholic hymns. 

I would NEVER advocate for contemporary music to play during Mass. I think it would be distracting. Our focus is the Lord’s presence in the Eucharist, not the elaborate, instrumental songs. 

But I do see the benefits of listening to songs with beautiful messages instead of polluting our souls with popular music’s vulgarity. 

Bringing in Scriptures

Remember that Colossians 7:5 says, “It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.” 

Music can impact us emotionally and psychologically. Certain sounds make us full of content, while others depress us. So, why not find the songs that make your soul shake with thanksgiving and joy?

I cannot think of other reasons why I began to dislike secular music besides noticing that the more I prayed and sought God, the more I wanted to surround myself by things that uplifted my faith. 

I am not condemning secular music. And you are free to listen to whatever you want. However, I think that Christians should be cautious about what infiltrates their hearts through their senses: music, movies, books, etc.   

But remember that songs are a beautiful way of connecting with God!!

P.S. I will share some of my favorite songs in future blogs!! 

Challenge of Today: I encourage you all to take a few minutes a day to sing to God. Sometimes our songs can help put into words our thoughts!

Remember Colossians 3:16, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”