How Great I Am
Posted February 18, 2007
It may be my least favorite song in all of Christendom.
"It's not about meeeeeeeee, Jesus. It's all about youuuuuuu."
Every time I hear that song it's like long finger nails scraping down a blackboard.
So I was amused to see somebody peddling a new album titled "It's all about me..."
For a chuckle, watch a clip at http://www.thinkchristian.net/
H/T to Melissa Rogers.
Comments
Aw, I like that song.
Editor's note: A couple of readers have asked me why I dislike "It's Not About Me."
I just don't like the way it sounds, plus: 1.) If it's not about me, then why are we singing about me in the first place? The time would be better spent singing about somebody else. God, for example. 2.) We live in a consumer culture in which businesses (and even some churches) cater to our every whim. It's strange to attend a service that is carefully choreographed to please and entertain and keep me happy and then sing "It's Not About Me." 3.)
"1.) If it's not about me, then why are we singing about me in the first place? The time would be better spent singing about somebody else. God, for example."
Surely you know that the song in question is based on scripture don't you? Psalm 115:1. Even the Bible tells us and reminds us that its all about God and not us.
" 2.) We live in a consumer culture in which businesses (and even some churches) cater to our every whim. It's strange to attend a service that is carefully choreographed to please and entertain and keep me happy and then sing "It's Not About Me." "
We do live in a me world and most people look at churches as theirs and what they are doing in their church.
The song should be a reminder for them that its all about God and not them at all. I mean God thought it important enough to put in the Bible to remind us who is important then why shouldn't we remind ourselves in church?
Editor's note: Points well made, Brian. To be honest, I had to look up Psalm 115:1. It's not one I've committed to memory. But it's a poetic passage.
In the growing category of "I need to get out more," I'd never heard, or heard of, the song before, but having heard a little snippet of it on the referenced site, I can agree with Frank that there doesn't appear to be much there.
It's a funny spot, though.
I remember when a book by this title (and perhaps a curriculum?) came out in evangelical circles. I thought it was amusing because it was in the midst of everyone finding their "purpose" and that seemed just as self centered in a different way.
That song isn't familiar to me, but I'm not mature enough for most contemporary Christian music anyway.
Another comment about the song (not that I'm trying to convince you to like it)... Knowing it's background sometimes helps you to appreciate it.
Amazing Grace has a refrain "that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost and now am found, was blind but now I see."
There's a lot of the first person pronoun in many older hymns. In fact, we try to weed out some of them in our church because of your assertion related to the song above.
But Amazing Grace was written by John Newton, a ravenously bad guy who was a slave trader, womanizer and general all around jerk. His salvation was monumental, and he knew it. Knowing that helps us to sing it with great appreciation and identification.
In another vein, The Heart of Worship was written by UK worship leader Matt Redman. As his church's worship leader, he had noticed that people were simply "going through the motions" in the songs and hymns. Because of that, he and the church leadership eliminated music from their worship services for a sustained period, choosing instead to use scripture reading, testimonies, prayer, and sermon to guide them in worship while they refocused.
When music "returned," he had written this song that begins, "When the music fades, and all is stripped away, and I simply come... longing just to bring something that's of worth that will bless your heart. I'll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search much deeper within, through the way things appear. You're looking into my heart."
That song also asserts that it's all about Jesus.
In the song you mentioned, the full lyrics are:
It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God
And I surrender to your ways
Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me
And I will share eternity with You
Taken in context of the lyrics, I hardly think you have a leg to stand on lyrically. Now the music on the other hand... ;)
Editor's note: OK. You've convinced me. I was wrong. I was way too harsh on the song. I think I should probably give up music criticism for Lent and probably should apologize to Paul Oakley -- the author of Jesus Love of My Soul (It's All About You). Fortunately, he lives in England, which is technically not part of the Bible Belt. They don't read Bible Belt Blogs in those parts...
By the way, the stuff you wrote about "The Heart of Worship" is interesting.
I look forward to reading your blog, www.journeyguy.com, in the future.
Maybe it needs to be known by a different title.
Thanks for the kind comment, Frank. You're welcome to pontificate at Notes from the Trail any day.
I will be the first to admit that some of today's pop worship songs are shallower than a kids' pool. We work diligently at our church to try to evaluate songs by their content and whether they are singing TO God, singing ABOUT God, or worse, just singing about ourselves.
Many, MANY songs these days are great for radio/iPod listening and are encouraging, but are inappropriate for use in congregational worship. Too many worship leaders foist songs off these days because they like the tempo or melody and fail to consider their theological direction.
Again, thanks! I've really enjoyed reading your blog.
Uh, and why do you have a problem with that song? Unless it's just the tired-old pop melody?