Could a simple worship song really help solve an immensely complex worldwide problem?
While church historians often credit the Reformation with reimagining and reenergizing congregational singing, the practice of raising our voices together in song dates to the beginning of the Christian Church.
Writing to early believers in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul urged them “to address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:19-20).
Taste in Christian worship music spans a wide spectrum with many followers of Christ favoring either hymns or more contemporary offerings. As a result, the pool of music most believers sing each week can be sourced to either hymnals hundreds of years old – or modern music created by artists attached to a large distributor. Of course, some Christians like both – and then there are creators like Keith and Kristyn Getty who continue to produce brilliant, modern-day hymns.
And then there is CityAlight, a music ministry born out of St. Paul’s Castle Hill, a relatively small Anglican church in Australia. Over the last few years, this earnest group of church musicians has written, produced, and distributed easily singable songs that are touching hearts and minds all around the world.
“Jesus, Strong and Kind” is just one of them – and if taken to heart and put into action, it could revolutionize and transform the world.
“We desire to get out of the way so the truth upon which all our songs are built can properly shine,” the CityAlight team explains. “We pray that the lyrics and melodies of these songs would fix eyes and hearts and minds on Jesus.”
Released in December of 2019, “Jesus, Strong and Kind” acknowledges and addresses four aspects of our fallen world: our desire for something more, our inability to get it alone, the fear that paralyzes us, and the lostness of life without Christ.
Beyond the tender tune and message, what many of us love about the song is its title, because it serves as a reminder that the Lord models the way we can engage our culture.
Jesus is strong – and with His help, we can be the same. Yes, He is humble and even meek – but meekness is not weakness. He stood up to the bullies. He stood strong in the face of adversity.
We can do the same.
Jesus is kind – but not necessarily nice. There is a distinction between the two.
Dr. Barry Corey, president of Biola University, has observed:
Niceness may be pleasant, but it lacks conviction. It has no soul. Niceness trims its sails to prevailing cultural winds and wanders aimlessly, standing for nothing and thereby falling for everything. Kindness is certainly not aggression, but it’s also not niceness. Niceness is cosmetic. It’s bland. Niceness is keeping an employee in the job, knowing he’s no longer the right fit therefore failing him and the company because you don’t have the courage to do the kind thing. Kindness calls you to tell him he’s not the person for the position and then dignify him in the transition.
We might save someone from hurt feelings for going along to get along – it might even be “nice” to do so. But is making someone comfortable in a poor professional position a kind thing to do?
Probably not.
Written in concert with the Australian singer-songwriter Colin Buchanan, the CityAlight team explained its specific motivation for the music:
(We wanted to write) the sort of song that maybe your mum or dad could sing to you when you were small enough to fit in their arms, then maybe when you were two or three you’d start to learn some of the words and join in yourself then maybe when you were a bit older … you’d sing a song like this to your God (in moments of distress)… then maybe when you’re much older, songs like this perhaps can be a help and comfort at the very end of your life…
CityAlight has delivered a lovely work that promises to both encourage and inspire believers to action. If you’re not familiar with the song, click here to listen – and consider the thoughtful and biblically-rooted lyrics:
Verse 1
Jesus said
That if I thirst
I should come to him
No one else can satisfy
I should come to him
Verse 2
Jesus said
If I am weak
I should come to him
No one else can be my strength
I should come to him
Chorus
For the Lord is good and faithful
He will keep us day and night
We can always run to Jesus
Jesus, strong and kind
Verse 3
Jesus said
That if I fear
I should come to him
No one else can be my shield
I should come to him
Chorus
For the Lord is good and faithful
He will keep us day and night
We can always run to Jesus
Jesus, strong and kind
Verse 4
Jesus said if I am lost
He will come to me
And he showed me on that cross
He will come to me
Chorus
For the Lord is good and faithful
He will keep us day and night
We can always run to Jesus
Jesus, strong and kind
