Battlefield - By Ethan McConnell

Battlefield

            I am convinced that music is one of the greatest gifts God has given to us. In music we find joy, happiness, hope, and excitement. Music makes us feel things that mere words often cannot. Music, in all its various forms, is important for the soul. This is one of the reasons, I believe, that God has called us to worship through music.

            A number of years ago now, a Christian hip-hop artist called KB released the song “Open Letter.” In this song, he describes these letters that he has received from various people coming to his concerts. They wrote to him about how encouraging his concerts has been. But, more than that, each letter sought something more of him. In the first letter, a girl named Ashley writes to him, telling him about her struggle with sin, singleness, and homosexual longing. As she finishes her letter, she pleads with him to pray for her. Verse two records a similar letter, ending in much the same way: “This temptation’s a beast, please pray for us.”

            “Open Letter” illustrates a principle of the Christian life in these words. That is, we as Christians should confess our struggles with sin to one another. So often, we are reminded that we must confess our sins to the Lord – and certainly we must. Yet, in most instances, this call to confession ends there. Scripture, on the other hand, does not end there. James writes, “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” The truth is simple: when we confess our sins to one another, we create a mutual bond of Christian fellowship that leads to prayer, love, and encouragement. There are few things in the world more freeing than to confess your sins to a brother or sister in the faith and to sit and pray with that brother or sister, seeking the Lord’s mercy and grace. We must not neglect to do this.

            KB ends the song with these words:

“Dear God, we come in His name,

The slain and risen who's runnin' this thing,

Christ the Lord, the one who can bring,

Healin' the hurts of the ones that He claims…

Can I please intercede for a minute,

This is not out of Your grasp,

Your grace can shake, Your power can smash,

I pray this hour and ask,

Allow them to see Your power surpass,

That said, devour they past,

Drown them with mercy, shower them fast.

            Intercede for one another even as Christ intercedes for you. When we fail to do this, we miss out on one of the great blessings of the Christian life.