Music in Your Soul!

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."

(Aldous Huxley)

Sitting in my living room at home, my feet up on a footstool, I can be instantly transported to a path through the woods in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina; all it takes is a song. "A New Soul" by Yael Naim plays and suddenly I smell the flowers and hear the sounds of Brasstown N.C. - such is the power of music. 

Music works its way into the cracks of our being like water seeping into the soil. It fills empty places we didn't even know we had, giving voice to the un-voicable of humanity's passions, pains and hopes. The power of music calls the masses to stand against tyranny; the gentleness of music soothes a crying baby to sleep. I stand is awe of music as it courses through my being, caressing my soul, enlivening my thoughts, making my very un-dancing body jump up to dance.

"I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me-

 like food or water."

(Ray Charles)

If we want to reach into the hearts of children and youth, music opens that door; those suffering with dementia will come alive when familiar music strums their thoughts; some cultures use music to heal emotional and spiritual wounds. And our Christian Scriptures allude to music and singing over 300 times... 

"Whenever the bad depression from God tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted."

(1 Samuel 16.23 - The Message)

What songs make you feel good, alive, hopeful, strong, healed, renewed, playful, joyful, thoughtful, melancholy? If you get a moment tell me about a song that is particularly meaningful for you.

Music is for all of us, not just those who sing, or play an instrument; when God made you He planted music within your soul. Take time today to listen to a piece of music that stirs you and for just a moment - let there be nothing but you and that song.

I leave the last word to Moses:

"The Lord is my strength and song"

(Exodus 15.2)

Singing with you,

Pastor Bill

Slow down

and breathe

just

be

listen

a song plays

you

hear it

in

your

heart

Ah music

you

stir

me

[First published October 24, 2012]