I'm a lip syncer. I lip sync. I love lip syncing. Highly emotional songs like Mariah Carey's "Without You" and Maroon 5's "Harder to Breathe" are among my favorites. As I mouth the words (and occasionally dance lamely) I can feel the emotions behind them. Though I may never have experienced the events that are lyricised by Johnny Cash's "Hurt" or Kate Nash's "Foundations" I can almost imagine feeling the way they do. Emotion is a powerful drug...maybe that's why I enjoy the art of lip syncing so much.
But.
But.
I've begun to wonder in worship these past few weeks whether I am just lip syncing aloud. When I cry "Blessed be the Lord!" do I mean it? Or is this lip syncers worship? Do I believe that "my God is mighty to save"? What is my faith?
This years ICC theme "Lead the Escape" is represented by the image of a parrot. The idea is to lead the escape from artificial communication to authentic communication.
When I lip sync I am parroting the words and emotions of the singers and songwriters. When I worship...am I doing the same thing?
What if my faith is a lip syncers faith? What if I say the words of the hymns, repeat those of the oft-quoted verses, and all I'm doing is parroting the truth? Is it still the truth?
Lip syncers worship.
Lip syncers faith.
Lip syncers love.
I say I love so many people. But do I?
"I love you."
"I love you."
"I love you."
I say it every day. Am I parroting these feelings?
I want to escape to authenticity!
I want to be real.
Authentic worship.
Authentic faith.
True love.
God. Lead my escape.
