So, I've been contemplating music lately. Think about it, the world pretty much runs on music. Throughout my travels we had the chance to hear traditional music, whether in Spanish, Swahili, Thai or the other numerous languages.
Music defines us, whether the new and latest pop/rap/rock song hits the airwaves and we bob our heads to the melody or beat, it is what draws us together.
I say this from my own experiences.
When I really want to buckle down and write poetry, or even SEO articles these days, I have music in the background. The majority of the time it is music that lifts up the name of Christ, but sometimes it's secular and God's taught me recently that that is okay.
I still hold to the other truths He has taught me along this path He has me on, mainly that when you listen to secular music with the sexual innuendo or the drunken and drug innuendos, then your spirit feels down and heavy; whereas, when you listen to Christian music or music that is clean and uplifting, then your spirit is lighter and more ALIVE!
Even music with the undertones of Christ's love and redemption, say Mumford & Sons, just makes you come more ALIVE when you listen to it.
I say this all, because tonight at youth we watched the movie August Rush. The story of a boy who listens to the music in everyday life from the sounds of the wind in the wheat field to the beats of the city in downtown New York. I sat here and watched the movie (first time I saw it was in Uganda) and reveled in the truth of God throughout the movie.
Many instances the characters would talk about how when we listen to the music around us, in us, through us, then we can hear and feel so much more. For the movie, it was this connection that led to him being found by his parents. For us, I think it is what leads us to be found by God, our Father.
I mean when we are in our darkest moments, our darkest fears, the blackest night before the dawn is the time we will turn on the music and turn UP the music. We vent and let the anger out. We break down and let the tears flow. We light up, laugh, dance and sing with joy at the sheer thought of our circumstances. Or any combination of the three.
It is in these moments that God reaches down to us and speaks to us through the music.
Tonight, a new college ministry here in my hometown began, Venue, and even before worship began I knew I was meant to be here. I knew God was in the room. I knew without one ounce of doubt that tonight would be the night that some of the thirst for God and His glory I've felt would be satiated. I'm still more thirsty than ever before for Him.
Now, however, I have a community. I mean I didn't even know it was possible to meet NEW people my age in Eustis, but He proved me wrong.
The funny thing is…it's not just tonight. It's every day. My worship, the music from the depths of my heart happens every day, whether I'm writing poetry, sitting outside under the sky, or playing the Xbox 360. I've come to realize that LIFE is a form of music, a form of poetry, and as we go about our lives within the very hours of the day, HE is writing the very fabric of breathing masterpieces.
This truth is why you, yes you, are so important and beautiful to God. You are the notes from the protege writes on random sheets of papers or get played from a church organ by a twelve-year-old that has never seen one before. You are the symphony of a heart, a dream, a living God, who loves you and taps His foot to the rhythm of you.
Many of my squad-mates are very talented musicians. I got to witness God in their music, whether it was Alana and Cody leading, Josh and Brooks leading, Jobie on the violin, Becca or Krystle sharing a song they wrote, or Zeb and his many musings on any instrument he gets his hands on. So, I want to leave you with the song that Josh Rene and I co-wrote, via Michael Leutwyler's Vimeo video he uploaded.
Thank you and as you go about your days take into mind just how much music helps you go and move, just how much the melodies of the very earth can motivate you to more. Isn't that why runners listen to music as they take on a 5K or a marathon, or artists find inspiration while Mozart plays in the background?? You'll be amazed at just how much music is within all of us. I also challenge you to find new music to listen to, maybe even in a genre you usually don't appeal to…please comment what you find! Thanks!
Stay tuned for more about Ireland once I get back from New Jersey (bus ride on Tuesday) and please pray God gives this Florida guy some supernatural warmth!
