I love music. Always have. There is
something primal, in my inner being that is moved by song. Imagine
an epic film without the emotionally charged sound track. That old
classic you start belting out in the car with the whole family. The
love song that takes you back to a special summer night. I sometimes
wonder why it is that we, collectively as humans, have such a
connection with music. Science will tell you that it is simply sound
waves at various pitches and frequencies, but your heart will tell
you it is something much more than that.
There are very few things that we as a
species can agree on. We have different cultures, different beliefs,
different political systems, and different appearances. However, in
some basic ways beyond our biology, we are all the same. These
common traits, that stay a part of us throughout history, regardless
of circumstance or worldly influence, are part of a design. A well
constructed masterpiece from a grand architect.
People sometimes are amazed that humans
have always longed for a higher power. As we advance as a species,
some would suggest our dependence on a supreme being to answer some
of life's mysteries would slowly fade. Yet hear we are in 2014 with
over 7 billion people on the planet, and over 90% of them believe in
God. Why? I believe it is the same reason I love music. It is part
of God's design.
Like so many of God's divine intentions
for us, we have the capacity with our brokenness to take something
beautiful and make it ugly. And we've all heard some ugly music.
Next time your teenager thinks that song you asked them to turn off
is harmless, and that you are just being a prude parent, try having
them read the lyrics out loud to the entire family, young siblings
and all, at the family dinner table. It's important to let music
feed your soul the way God intended, and to be guarded from messages
that pull you away from Him rather than toward Him.
Once you go past the surface of tapping
your toe to background music, and really listen to the lyrics, and
the story that it can tell, it reminds me of digging deeper into
scripture. It might not be the direct word of God, but if you pay
attention, you will find his message reaching out and calling to you.
I remember this fall being consumed
with anxiety and stress over my business, which had created
additional problems at home. I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't eating
right, and I had let my peace and joy that normally comes from
trusting and following, be overrun by fear. Then, on a slow drive in
the rain to visit a friend, I heard the song Home come on by Phillip
Phillips. I've always like that tune, so I instinctively reached for
the volume and turned it up. But for some reason, this time I wasn't
just listening to the folksy, merry tune. I was picturing an image
of Jesus, looking at me and smiling while I listened to the song. It
was something he wanted me to hear, so I listened more closely....
"Home"
Hold
on, to me as we go
As
we roll down this unfamiliar road
And
although this wave (wave) is stringing us along
Just
know you're not alone
Cause
I'm gonna make this place your home
Settle
down, it'll all be clear
Don't
pay no mind to the demons
They
fill you with fear
The
trouble it might drag you down
If
you get lost, you can always be found
Just
know you're not alone
Cause
I'm gonna make this place your home
Thank you God. I will settle down and
wait for it to be clear. I will not lose hope. I will always look
for you when I am lost. And when I am with you again, I will feel
that warmth of peace that I only find when I know I'm Home.
2 comments:
How true, Ben.
How also true that music like the "Catholicism Soundtrack," and other songs in Church/at Mass, uplift and inspire us all the more.
Compare and contrast to the “pop” songs… uplifting in tone and rhythm, but when you listen to or read the lyrics you realize they are “less than wholesome.” And yet we often want to at least tap our feet at those very same songs. What does that mean about our “primal instincts?”
Also… isn’t it possible only by the grace of God that when we listen to, say songs from Rush after the drummer’s wife died of despair after their daughter died in a car crash and whose lyrics became understandably less-than-chipper, or to Meatloaf’s “Bat out of Hell” (singing loudly to words we’d never want to say from our own personal experience), that we can experience joy… but is it joy or just excitement. Excitement and joy are not necessarily the same thing.
I think in short, lest we spend cycles fretting o'er such legitimate concerns, we need to encourage ourselves to "do all for the glory of God."
Thanks,
Mike
I think Ben introduces a couple of broad topics in Home and music. I think music touches us and transcends us at the same time on different levels. The lyrics tell a story similar to parables which introduce so many strands of interpretation and meaning. There's much to be explored in music and spirituality.
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