Music is Powerful

There is little doubt that music moves people.  There is something about the combination of lyric and rhythm, pitch and sound that connects to our innermost thoughts and feelings.  Here are some thoughts about the effect of music: 

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” 
― Bono

“My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.” 
― Martin Luther

“Music... will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“A great song should lift your heart, warm the soul and make you feel good.” 
― Colbie Caillat

I don’t really want to the question the idea of music’s power, but I want us to think about what it is that our music is persuading us of…or moving us towards.  Let me explain.  As we think about what we fill our hearts and minds with on a weekly and daily basis, what does our music applaud?  Does the music we most often listen to speak highly of sex?  How about sexual acts?  How about sexual acts in the club with random hook-ups?  How about the power of love?  How about the pride of our nation?  How about the life of luxury?  How about the life of leisure?  How about the city life?  How about the country life?  How about escaping your life?  How about the violent life?  How about the peaceful life?  How about money?  How about being unique and different?  How about being angry?  And the list goes and goes…

Does the music you listen to affect the way you engage the world—there is little doubt that it does…so, from a minister’s perspective let me say that our worship through music sets us on a particular trajectory, or in a particular frame of mind and heart.  Now, I’m not trying to argue that love is evil or that we shouldn’t have some level of national pride…but I am trying to assert that music does have power and that power must be acknowledged and accepted…and perhaps even cautioned against!

The power of music is why it is an important part of our worship of God.  And while you might be a hip hop, country, rap, alternative, pop, or classical fan; I hope and pray we are all listening to songs that praise God.  David sings this in Psalm 59:

16 But as for me, I will sing about your power.
          Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
     For you have been my refuge,
          a place of safety when I am in distress.
17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
         for you, O God, are my refuge,
         the God who shows me unfailing love.

May the songs of our God always be in our hearts, in our minds, and upon our lips!  And may the songs of other, lesser things diminish in comparison to our great God.  In the words of a contemporary song: 

How great is our God!
Sing with me,
How great is our God!
And all will see,
How great, how great is our God!