Women of the ELCA
Commentary and reflections on issues, events and trends in our church, society and world, as seen through the lens of our mission and purpose and our ministries.
Meeting God in Music
I visited a friend’s congregation recently and heard a message that has stayed on my mind. It was part of a sermon series called “God and my iPod” and the pastor was talking about how sometimes a song will get stuck in one’s mind. He suggested that maybe the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something through that song, even if it’s secular music that has no mention of God or faith or anything spiritual. Or maybe the song is speaking to something in you that you haven’t yet realized—a longing or fear or hope that is buried deep in your heart.
The sermon really made me reflect. Like many in my generation, I love music, especially rock and roll. I thought about the handful of songs on my iPod that I can listen to again and again. I thought about how sometimes as soon as a particular song is over, I want to hear it again. When I was a kid, I had a junky turntable record player and my brother and I listened to the same albums (remember those?) over and over… I can still make him laugh by calling him on the phone and singing the first few lyrics of “These Boots Are Made for Walking” or the “Ballad of the Green Beret.” Music was a bond and a source of discovery.
So now as I listen to my favorite playlists, I’m trying to be aware of why those songs have such appeal to me, of how God might be trying to reach me through them. I’m also listening with new ears—is there something in this song that expresses some deeper thought or desire or yearning in my heart? If I had to select a 10-song soundtrack for my life, what would it include?
I feel the same affection for certain hymns. As soon as I hear the opening notes, my heart feels like it’s swelling up and I can’t wait to begin to sing. Now that we’re in Lent, I know that I’ll hear hymns that I’ve been missing during the other less somber church seasons. I love Lenten hymns like “O Sacred Head Surrounded” and “Forty Days and Forty Nights.”
What about you? Do you have songs that you love to hear over and over? Are there pieces of music that draw you closer to something transcendent? How do you use music to strengthen your spiritual life?
The music-loving Kate Elliott is editor of Gathermagazine.
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on February 20th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Every time, I get really overwhelmed by life – Don’t Stop Believing by Journey will come on the radio. I always taken that as a sign.
on February 20th, 2012 at 8:15 am
LOVE this thought! I always have songs swimming through my head. I hope that I can draw them back to mind should I ever need them in days of isolation or sad times. I think I’m still stuck on some great classics by legendary performers but then again if it taps my feet and moves my thumb, I’m all about it whether spiritual (which I think all music is) or secular. Thank you for reminding us of the power of music!
on February 20th, 2012 at 9:07 am
The song I fell in Love with was the Singer and the Song Long before time. Spoke of creation and how God enters our broken world.
on February 20th, 2012 at 9:14 am
My mom’s favorite was The Old Rugged Cross. I’m looking forward to singing it this lenten season. I think of mom everytime I hear it.
on February 20th, 2012 at 9:46 am
“Blessings” by Laura Story is a good one to get stuck in my head . . . “maybe trials of this life are just mercies in disguise.” I need to hear that!
on February 20th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
I always get excited when I hear the first notes of How Great Thou Art, but then I remember that I can’ get through the first stanza without tears
on February 21st, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Don’t know the title, but there is a country-western song that sings about seeing our loved ones in heaven, which always lifts my spirit and keeps on going round in my head. What a day that will be!