If An Album is Played in the Forest, Does Anyone Hear It?

Last night, I had the privilege of listening through the “Knowing Jesus” album with our band at our home.  They had each contributed in the writing, arranging, recording of the process, but none of them knew until last night that this project is 21 tracks.  It is as close to 80 minutes that the disc will allow.

Why that much music?  Why 21-tracks?

The end of John gives us a hint:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.  -John 21:25

While I watched this band begin to listen critically, we each began to worship along the way.  During the listening party, I had a conversation with God.

It made me think about this question: if an album is played in the forest, does anyone hear it?  You have heard the saying, if a tree falls in the forest, does anyone hear it?  It is a deep question to make you think about does sound happen without the hearer or does someone have to hear it for it actually to make a sound.  Head hurt yet?

Last night, I told the band that I would satisfied if no one else ever heard this album.  Do I want people to hear it?  Absolutely.  It’s the most moving, precise music I have ever had the privilege and struggle of recording.  Do I want people to love it?  Without a doubt.  Do I hope you get a copy and worship to it?  I would be honored.

But last night, I told Jesus that if all of this work was simply just to lay this at His feet as a sacrifice of praise, it would have all been worth it.  He is worth it.  People who get a copy of this album may benefit from it, but it is not for them.  It is for Jesus.

If this album would have played in the forest, and the only person who would have heard it would have been Jesus the Christ, it would have been worth it.  As we sang Scripture to Him and proclaimed His goodness to us through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, it would have been worth every sleepless night and long practice.

Last night was the first time I had ever worked so hard on something and said: Jesus, this is simply for You.  Here is a sacrifice of praise I lay upon your altar.  I pray it is pleasing to Your ears.