Have you seen it? At least heard it?
"The Blessing" by Kari Jobe and Chris Carnes has gone viral. The setting is mega-influencer Elevation Church, which helps. But honestly, if that song had been recorded in the middle of nowhere I still believe it would have taken the world by storm.
The original video has 12 million views in 2 months. There are other amazing versions, including The UK Blessing (2.6 million views) and The Symphonic Version from Passion City Church. I've seen a half dozen of these variations. Every one of them, well, blesses me.
I think there are some reasons for this, and as worshipers and worship leaders we can learn a few things from the craving this song seems to be satisfying.
1) People yearn to be blessed. I know, that's not rocket science. But still, we are often so busy producing that we forget to be a blessing. I wonder... could it be that those of us in leadership are leading so we can receive the blessing of people rather than be a blessing to people?
2) Good songs are good songs. The "amen" section of this song is as simple as can be. And as powerful. Listening to the writers on The Worship and Technology Podcast they described the song as if heaven just let a little bit of its song leak out for the earth. They talked about it with all humility, and I have to say... the song seems to me to have that kind of anointing. Still, they spent hours crafting the song. Several people. Many hours. Song writing is important.
3) Scripture speaks. The words of this song are saturated with words from the Bible and the two primary themes are blessing (from the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6) and passing that blessing from generation to generation. These twin themes make for a mighty combination. What parent doesn't want God to bless their kid? I dare say agnostics and maybe even a few atheists would even affirm that!
4) Scripture speaks in context. For most of my life I've heard "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." I've conducted three different settings of it for all kinds of choirs. It has always been beautiful, but not this powerful. (Although Peter Lutkin's amen section and John Rutter's anthem are stunning!) But those were different settings for different days. This fresh setting is here just in time.
5) God is generous. The song dropped at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The creation needed somewhere to go to reconnect with its Creator, and it was then that God gave this song to the writing team from Elevation... and to us all.
So my takeaways?
a) Be a blessing. Always and in all ways.
b) Use great songs.
c) Keep using the scriptures, and enculturate them.
d) Be thankful. We worship/serve an incredibly generous God!
So... what are your takeaways?