Music’s Language

Music speaks to us. It can move us to tears (sad or happy ones). It can lift our spirits. It can communicate deep thoughts without a word. No language barrier. No need for explanation. I can listen to a person singing a lovely song in Italian and know basically what it is about, if the composer melded the thoughts to appropriate musical expression.

My husband and I attended a concert on Palm Sunday that moved me greatly. The beautiful music was presented by a choir and orchestra in a beautiful church sanctuary. And my heart was so thirsty for beauty that I absorbed it like a sponge and the tears leaked out in joy and appreciation. And I worshiped. I praised God for the gift of music, for the beauty I was experiencing because of Him, for  ears to hear, and for the capacity to soak it all in.

I have often said that most Christians don’t know the difference between a spiritual blessing and a musical thrill. Since music can make us feel a lot of things, we sometimes don’t recognize the distinction between auditory stimulation and deep spiritual communication. When we say we’ve been blessed, I hope it’s really true. God can whisper (or shout) immense truths to us as we listen to His language. He knows just how to reach us.

When I was working at Columbia International University, I took a week-long class taught by Michael Card. We explored the topic of creativity, which was instilled in all of us by our Creator. At the end of the week, we all did a creative project. Since I had been thinking about how God relates to me, I wrote a song about Him speaking to me through music. It’s really a prayer, which says, “Lord, sing Your song to me until it penetrates the barriers of my mind. Lord, sing Your song to me until it permeates the silence, and I find all the beauty that I crave In the music that You gave through Your Singer long ago.”

Jesus sang God’s song perfectly when He was here on earth. Through His Spirit, we can still hear the song. He sings it to our souls in whatever our heart language is. Have you been listening?

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16, NIV). We sing to God. And He sings to us. Are you hearing His song, or has the music of this world drowned Him out?

 “Lord, Sing Your Song to Me” from the album “A Song of Love”