James Taylor and the Kingdom of God

I spent Monday night listening to James Taylor as he performed at Starlight Theater. It was--in a word--amazing. June 9th in Kansas--and there was no wind--temperature was in the 70's--the stars and moon were bright and beautiful. I love Kansas, but we rarely have those kinds of nights. So when we do, we rejoice.

I hear the gospel when James Taylor sings. It's good news to hear "You've Got a Friend." I feel not far off from the Kingdom of God when he sings "Shower the people you love with love." I remember the prophet's call for justice in "Shed a Little Light." Most the time, I just felt fully alive as he sang--my heart full, my feet tapping-my body and spirit moving. If the early church father, Irenaeus is right that "The glory of God is a human being fully alive," then I felt God's glory on that beautiful night.

The crowd gathered to hear James sing was also a glimpse of God's kingdom as I imagine it. What a beautiful variety of humanity...I especially loved that there were people of all ages and stages of life. It troubles me that some people in the church think there is music that old people like and music that young people like and the type of music used in worship depends on who's in control. I think the church could learn a thing or two from James Taylor--like it's OK to rock out one minute and then to have a quiet solo with an acoustic guitar. It's good to sing gospel music AND it's also perfectly fine to sing something from a Broadway musical. When we focus on the style of music, we miss the point. Music is about spirit--about moving us in a way that connects us with God. It's about moving us to tears, moving us to laughter and moving us to move!

Thanks, James Taylor, for the glimpse of God's reign...