Music

I’ve been a singer all my life. One of the reasons I love music is that it’s a universal language. 

Have you ever been moved emotionally by a song in a language you don’t even speak? I know I have! One experience I remember was hearing a live, on-stage performance by the New York Metropolitan Opera – in French! I didn’t need to understand the words to feel the meaning, passion, and storyline. I also remember a beautiful song I heard years ago in Spanish by Fernando Ortega called “Mi Abuelito”. This morning I found it again online and it moved me to tears, just like it did the first time – even though I don’t speak Spanish. I could feel the love and tenderness he had for his Grandfather and how he would miss him.

Music has the ability to go beyond words with sounds and harmony our heart and soul connect to – entering us spiritually. Our bodies actually respond to this physically with goosebumps, or tears, or when the hair stands up on the back of our necks when a certain song is sung by one or more human voices – or instruments that carry us to a place beyond where we are. It can bring back feelings and memories of people and places that were stored away – almost bringing them to life, like a scent that suddenly transports us to a certain time and location.

Here are a couple of thoughts you may not have had about music:

First, have you ever wondered where music comes from? Who invented the sounds labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, G and all their sharps and flats? The Bible teaches that God is the Creator of all. That means He also created music. I believe that’s where the real soul and spiritual connection we feel comes from. 

Second, have you ever felt that not all of the music you listen to is good for your heart and soul? To me, some music can almost feel like a drug. It loosens up inhibitions and whatever the song is saying to do, it encourages me to do the same. We all know there’s a lot of music out there that’s dark and even evil, or aggressive, or constantly sexual. Like everything else, it’s up to you to decide what crosses the line and isn’t healthy for you. I’m not saying to delete your playlists and only listen to John Phillip Sousa marches from the early 1900s or old ragtime songs. I’m saying think about what enters your mind through your ear buds, or in the car, or wherever you listen to music. It can take you for a ride to a positive experience – or one that takes you where you feel uncomfortable going, if you’re honest.

Music is mentioned many times in the Bible. King David was a songwriter and musician and named directly as the author of 73 Psalms. He also danced with joy before the Lord in II Samuel chapter 6. There will be music in Heaven too, according to Revelation 5. If you believe in God and live for Him, you’ll receive a free ticket to HIS concerts to use one day – beyond anything we have ever heard or could possibly imagine!

RESET HIGHER: This week, notice the music in your life. Does it bring you joy and feel good to your soul? Or does it make you sad, depressed, or feel negative in any way. If it does, change the channel. If it’s been awhile since you listened to praise or worship music, give it a try and feel the spiritual difference.