Slideshow image
Thursday's Thoughts from David!


In the last few days I came across a forum of “Church” people discussing the merits of having “secular” music involved with a “sacred” worship service.
 

This discussion intrigued me since we had just infused six “secular” Whitney Houston songs into our “sacred” worship service at MVPC on Sunday, February 9th.


The
overwhelming
sentiment of the group was that in no uncertain terms should “secular” music be allowed into the “sacred” worship service.


Well… this got me thinking and since it is Thursday, here are my “Thoughts”!


Is There Room for the Secular in the Sacred?


This past Sunday, we worshiped with six Whitney Houston songs, blending what some might call “secular” music with the sacred act of worship. Some might ask: "Is this appropriate?"


I answer with a resounding "yes"—and here’s why.


All truth, beauty, and goodness belong to God. The Reformed tradition affirms that God’s sovereignty is not confined to what we label “Christian.” If Christ is the Logos through whom all things were made (John 1:3), then glimpses of the divine can be found even in unexpected places—whether in a sanctuary or a song on the radio.


When Whitney sang of longing, loss, and love, she expressed the human condition—our yearning for connection, our brokenness, and ultimately, our need for redemption. If a song like "I Look to You" can be reinterpreted as a cry to God, then we see that the line between “secular” and “sacred” is not as rigid as we assume. The sacred does not exist in a vacuum; it permeates all of life.


Think about this, if God can use a burning bush, a talking donkey, and pagan kings to proclaim His truth, surely He can use a Whitney Houston song to lead us to worship.


Are there other “secular” things where you have seen God use them for “sacred” purposes?


Grace and peace,
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!