So for better or worse, I'm forced to rely on those who have been given gifts in this field to quench my needs. That's okay, because there is a multitude of people in this world who ARE gifted in musical talents.
Music for me, however, has often led the journeys of my soul. In the days before I became a Christian, I desperately sought music that would help me to "find my identity". I often sought out secular artists that would show me as being "cool and yet different from everyone else".
Upon accepting Christ as my Savior, however, I began to realize that music was so much more than being "all about me". I've come to understand that music speaks to each person differently than the next, much as God has created each person differently. I've also come to view musical gifts and talents as being gifts from Him and - like all gifts from our Lord - they carry responsibilities. I believe God created music as a tool for us to worship Him. Again - like all gifts from our Lord - musicians, singers and song writers have the choice as to whether or not to use them in this manner.
As my journey with Him has moved along, I find myself less and less inclined to listen to music that doesn't involve worshipping Him. Yes, my iPod has a few secular songs on it - primarily nostalgic songs that remind me of particular points in my life. The vast majority of music that I listen to, however, is by Christian artists who use their gifts to worship the Lord.
The group of artists whose work has touched me most deeply over the past couple of years is a group called Jars of Clay. They're often labeled as "alternative", so I find it rather ironic that one of their best works has been an album called "Redemption Songs". It is a collection of Jars' interpretation of old hymns.
Now please understand this about me - I really don't care for sitting in a church listening to soe of the old dirges. Having grown up outside of a church setting, I still feel the proper place for an organ is playing "Charge!" or "3 Blind Mice" at a hockey game. On this particular work, however, the artists have taken such old time classics as "It Is Well With My Soul" and "I'll Fly Away" and rearranged them to really strike a chord with modern tastes.
The one that has been touching me most deeply recently is "God Will Lift Up Your Head". This is a song originally written by Paul Gerhardt. I'm not sure when Paul wrote it, but it was translated into English by John Wesley, so it has to be over 200 year old. The lyrics can be viewed here, but I would strongly encourage the reader to stop into a music store or iTunes and listen to it.
http://www.jarchives.com/dgod_will_lift.htm
The verse at the end goes:
Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
So I'm listening to this a couple of weeks ago as I'm waiting to board a flight from Atlanta to Portland. "So shall this night, soon end in joy". What are my options here? I either arrive safely home to be with my wife and kids. So shall this night soon end in joy! What happens if the plane goes down? I'll be joining my Lord in Heaven! So shall this night soon end in joy!
I was on a flight several years ago that was that was going through some pretty nasty turbulence, and an image came to my mind of God's hands holding up the wings. The comfort of that image stayed with me for a long time. Now, I'm comforted by "So shall this night soon end in joy."
Music is definitely one of God's gifts to my soul.
