Coming from being an atheist into my journey as a Christian saved by God’s grace, it is so interesting to see how things look with a different perspective. Sometimes I feel as if the secular world tries harder to convey a humanistic or atheistic view than Christians do trying to share the gospel with secular culture.
In particular I find this through music. Most Christian songs just sound like Christian songs to me. They won’t appeal to secular markets. Okay, I fully understand the impact of not trying to live for this world and compromising for the sake of culture, but does that really apply in every instance? So many songs I hear now that have been around for years have such a different impact on me. Songs such as: In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, Couldn’t Get It Right by Climax Blues Band and Shining Star by Earth, Wind and Fire. All secular songs that speak to faith and God. They aren’t outwardly Christian and got airplay on secular radio. However, in a heavenly perspective these songs can speak to our faith and point the way to God without being overtly Christian.
As I was reflecting on some things this week, the song Taking It To The Streets by the Doobie Brothers popped into my mind. I was thinking about how I see all these things going on around me and how I need to commit to do my part and make a difference. One way I feel this can happen is through starting a church this year with a vision to have campuses throughout our community (we have about 2 million here in the greater Sacramento area) so that we can bring the church and the gospel of Christ to the people. In other words we’re going to be taking it to the streets.
I decided to look up the lyrics today and this is another of those songs that from a Christian perspective really speaks to me, but as an atheist growing up and hearing (and singing) this song I had no idea. Who knew God would one day change my thought process and show me how he was working within me and preparing me for my day of eternal transformation through songs I grew up with and am fond of still to this day. Give it a listen or read the lyrics and see if this may speak to you in a way that brings glory to God and honor to his kingdom.
You don’t know me but I’m your brother
I was raised here in this living hell
You don’t know my kind in your world
Fairly soon the time will tell
You, telling me the things you’re gonna do for me
I ain’t blind and I don’t like what I think I see
Takin it to the streets
Takin it to the streets
Takin it to the streets
Takin it to the streets
Take this message to my brother
You will find him everywhere
Wherever people live together
Tied in poverty’s despair
You, telling me the things youre gonna do for me
I ain’t blind and I don’t like what I think I see
Takin it to the streets
Takin it to the streets
Takin it to the streets
Takin it to the streets
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