Jesus And Joe Cocker

God doesn't stand outside world culture, refusing to interact with it. To the contrary, He is very much involved in the details of culture and can use cultural elements to make Himself known to those who have eyes to see. Have you ever seen God revealing Himself to you in the nonreligious aspects of culture? Are there things you enjoy that nobody would call religious, but you know you have experienced an awareness of your Father through those things? What are a few of the nonreligious ways you have encountered God in your life?

Consider some of the more common cultural elements of our society as a medium through which the Lord can reveal himself to you. To suggest that God can speak to you through aspects of modern culture doesn't minimize the place of the Bible. God will never speak in a way that contracts His Word, but He certainly speaks in ways apart from the Bible.

God has often spoken to people through things directly created by Him. He can make Himself known through thunder (1 Samuel 7:10); through lightning (Isaiah 29:6); through fire (Exodus 13:21); through a bush (Exodus 3:2); through the skies and land (Psalm 19:1); even through a talking donkey (Numbers 22:28). The list could go on and on.

In addition to those things created directly by Him, He speaks to us through the creativity of others too. The word “creativity” finds its root in the word “create,” which means “to bring into existence something out of nothing.” The ability to create always finds its ultimate source in God, for He alone is the Creator of all things.

Created things (such as human beings) can’t create, unless they are endowed with creative ability. Like everything else vested in man from the beginning, our ability to create has been contaminated by sin, but the ability is, nonetheless, of divine origin. Any talent to create you or I have been given isn’t something that we can boast in. Our creative abilities are imperfect reflections of His perfect creativity. Our Father's creative ability can be seen through human creativity and in many of the things we create. Sometimes He shows up the most unexpected places, secretly smiling at those who have eyes to see Him through the elements of our culture.

Shortly after I was married, my parents and younger sister moved out of the country for five years because of my dad’s work responsibilities. I only saw them once during that five-year period. I was nineteen when they left and I deeply missed my family. I looked forward to seeing them more than words could express.

When the time drew near for their return to the states, my dad arrived a few days ahead of my mom and sister, unbeknownst to me. I had been out to lunch and as I pulled into the parking lot of the church where I was serving as pastor, I saw my dad sitting in his car. But because I wasn’t expecting to see him, I didn’t recognize him. In fact, I didn’t really pay him any attention. I casually glanced at him and parked my car.

When I began to walk toward the building, my dad spoke. “Hey there, young man,” he said. Instantly, I recognized his voice. I whirled around and ran toward him. It was one of the great thrills in my life and I’m sure that my dad enjoyed the pleasure of suddenly surprising me with his presence.

That’s how Jesus Christ acts toward you. In some ways, there are times when he wears the icons of our culture like a disguise. He hides Himself from the world – from those who don’t want to see Him—but at unexpected moments He suddenly pulls down the mask and gives those He loves a clear glimpse of His face. At those moments, those who love Him squeal with excitement, “Jesus, it’s you! I see you in that!” I have no doubt that when this happens, He laughs with delight.

Are you open to having the Holy Spirit expand your understanding of how to see your Father in the ordinary, everyday icons of life? You will be thrilled when He enables you to look beyond the superficial and see the supernatural. Jesus is waiting to surprise you with His presence. Open your eyes to see Him in the everyday icons of culture.

What are these cultural icons? They are the common expressions of human creativity seen in our society. As an example, let’s consider the medium of music. No medium on earth has the capacity to affect a person’s emotions like music. Music has been used throughout history to move people into action. It has motivated men to charge forward into battle. It has often been a prerequisite to making love. Music has caused some to sit in reflective silence and caused others to get up and dance. It has soothed fussy babies until they drifted off into a peaceful sleep. It has been used at weddings to celebrate a new life together and years later at funerals to grieve the end of that shared life. Music has been a comforting companion to prisoners and slaves. It has given expression to a celebration of victory. Certain music has even been proven to increase the amount of milk a cow gives! Music – it can make us laugh or cry. It can give us feelings of nostalgia, joy, hope, sadness and even anger. Its power is nothing short of miraculous.


Certain songs move me deeply, causing me to experience a sense of intimacy with my Father in awesome ways. I seldom hear or sing The Love of God, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, or A Mighty Fortress Is Our God without choking up. The great hymns of the faith can often teach us theology far better than any sermon and at the same time touch us in the deep places of our heart.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can only hear your Father's voice within the context of religious music. Remember, He can make Himself known to you in unlimited ways. He isn’t about to surrender everything outside the church doors to the world. Music written apart from His life is pirated material and our God can reclaim it anytime He wants.

I was speaking on this subject at a conference one day when I asked the group, “Are you able to hear God speak to you if there is no religious tone to what you hear?” The audience waited for me to continue. “Close your eyes and listen to the song I’m about to play, “ I encouraged them. “Perhaps you have heard the song before, but this time, listen for the voice of the Divine Lover in it.”

Then, at a spiritual retreat, in a room filled with Christians, I played a recording of an old song by the famous classic rock singer, Joe Cocker. The words he passionately sang are, “You are so beautiful to me. You are so beautiful to me. Can’t you see? You’re everything I hoped for. You’re everything I need. You are so beautiful to me!”

As the song played, grown men and women began to cry. For the first time, many were hearing the voice of the Divine Lover from a source they had never thought to consider before now. For every person there, this song would never again be the same. God’s love had redeemed it and brought it into the kingdom as a gift for those who listened.

Does this concept seem uncomfortable to you? If so, consider this question: Why should Jesus Christ be restricted to only communicating to you in religious ways? He is Lord over all the earth and can use anything He chooses to express love to those who are His! One unmarried lady I know says that she listens to a radio station that plays nothing but romantic love songs and that she often hears the Lord sing to her through those songs. Who would tell her she is wrong?

I have experienced a sense of transcendent joy that couldn’t possibly find its origin in fallen man at times when I have heard certain non-religious music. I was enthralled as I watched a live performance of the musical The Phantom of the Opera. On another occasion, tears filled my eyes as I attended a concert by the great Italian singer, Andrae Boccelli, despite the fact that not one word was being sung in English. I could almost imagine Jesus saying, “Isn’t this great? Steve, I love seeing how you enjoy this concert. I can’t wait until you get Home. I have even better ones waiting for you here.”

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting that every time we have a positive feeling, it’s God manifesting Himself to us. I recognize that our emotions can be manipulated by various influences. However, I also believe that Christians are sometimes guilty of dismissing the pervasive presence of Christ in this world by insisting that experiences that aren’t directly religious are non-spiritual or even evil.

Keep your eyes opened wide as you go through your day and you may be surprised where your Father shows up, just to tell you that He loves you.

(This article is an excerpt from my book Journey Into Intimacy. Click here for more information)