In a world of darkness, tragedy, and suffering, our hearts are hungry for light, hope, and joy. One day last week, I found myself overwhelmed by news of marriages ending and cancer spreading. I thought to myself, “I really could use something positive for a change.”
While every artist on Air1 brings unique gifts and personality to the airwaves, I would sum up Tauren Wells’ contribution with one word: joy! This word is fitting in light of the title of his new book, "Joy Bomb."
However, Wells not only brings joy to his readers and listeners, but he also reminds them of deep and lasting truths that form the core of our faith. The newest song from Tauren Wells, "Let the Church Sing," combines his signature joy with the fundamental elements of our two-thousand-year-old faith.
RELATED CONTENT: Tauren Wells Leads the Choir on Unifying Anthem ‘Let The Church Sing’
In releasing this song, Wells shared about its origins on his Facebook page.
“When you listen to this project, I want you to walk away thinking about how amazing the church is. I hope that we can re-engage with the wonder and beauty of community and faith. I’m still the same child of God, but with a sharpened focus on what He has called me to do in the world.”
In the opening verse of the song, Wells sings about what unites the church. His lyrics echo the words of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 4, Paul wrote, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”
We are unified by the same Holy Spirit that inhabits us all, as the Spirit directs our focus back to what Jesus has done for us. Following these lyrics, Wells moves immediately to the chorus.
“No one like our God
Only one we need
Holy is our Lord
Hallelujah let the church sing.”
RELATED CONTENT: Tauren Wells Gives the Church Something to Sing About on New EP
Wells doesn’t just invite individual believers to sing praise to God; he calls the church to sing. His new EP, including “Let the Church Sing,” is a reflection of his role shift from worship pastor to church planter. “When we started dreaming about planting our church, it was a major spiritual process and excavation into the heart. These songs are the fruit of that.”
I love that Wells’ new role as a church planter and Lead Pastor of Whitestone, a church outside Austin, Texas, is shaping his songwriting. When many people read the Apostle Paul's description of believers as “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” their minds immediately go to an individual. But Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:16 are written in the plural form. “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” A more helpful translation might be “Don’t y’all realize that y’all together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in y’all?”
The song closes out by reminding listeners not to hold back - to declare what God has done in their lives. Those lyrics draw from David’s words in Psalm 107: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.”
RELATED CONTENT: Tauren Wells Invites Listeners to Make Room for God's Presence
When we are discouraged, gathering with others helps lift our spirits. When we are struggling to trust God, hearing the testimony of others opens our hearts to surrender. When we cannot see God in our present circumstances, remembering how He has worked in our past renews our faith in Him.
So, as you listen to this song, here are a few questions to ponder. What can you do to move away from isolation and towards community with other believers? How can you invest in your local church, helping that body glorify God? I encourage you to share what God has done and is doing in your life with others, so that others persevere in their faith. Tauren Wells’ “Let the Church Sing” reminds us that there is joy and power when we worship our God as one!
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps people transform difficult circumstances into places where they can thrive. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and loves watching movies with his wife and three kids. You can begin Scott’s life-changing project, The 21-Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
