You may or may not be familiar with this song, but it's one that's caused some controversy over the past year or two.
("If you’re not familiar with John Mark McMillan’s song “How He Loves”, first off tell me what it’s like to live in a cave. Do you pee in one corner of the cave or do you go outside to do your business and risk being mauled by a jaguar with your pants down?")
The song focuses on God's love for us, and in the second verse describes it saying "heaven meets earths like a sloppy wet kiss". Not everyone is a fan of that line. It's caused enough controversy to get it's own post on Stuff Christians Like (which is where that wonderful cave quote is stolen from).
In that blog post, the author considers whether or not the line should be changed, as it often is, to "unforeseen kiss", but I don't think that's even what we should be concerned about. There's bigger and better question here: are we missing the rest of the song? Have we really noticed the vivid descriptions of God's grace and mercy?
How much does that one line really matter? Obviously, every line in a worship song should be true to God's word, but when it's just an awkward metaphor and not a false teaching, it's rather irrelevant. The song isn't about heaven and earth making out, it's about God and His love for His people, and that's a beautiful story worth singing about. And not only that, but "How He Loves" gives us many other excellent metaphors to express what God's love, grace, and mercy look like.
"He loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy."
"If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking."
"We are His portion and He is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes."
Maybe you haven't had any problems with this song. Maybe you have such a problem with it, you conveniently have to use the restroom every time it's being sung at your church. Either way, the point here is, whether it's this song or something else, don't let yourself get so caught up in little things you disagree with that you miss the bigger, much more important picture.
It's funny that you just posted this, because earlier this week I was talking with Abby about this, and how we both want to sing "Sloppy Wet Kiss" next year at IV. In the end though, it really doesn't matter as much as I think it does. I really don't think it should matter either way though, so I agree. Why is it so controversial?
ReplyDeleteI've had this conversation a couple of times- usually after singing "unforeseen kiss" at IV or church. I too find it interesting that the words are changed. Personally, I'm a fan of "sloppy wet kiss." Funny how we church folks often let these small things distract us.
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