Think about that song that you instantly go to when you are in need of a pick up or a laugh. You got it? Hum it to yourself for a second or even play it. What is it about that song that you know when you play it you will feel better? The lyrics? The tune? Does it make you feel calm? Does it give you a different perspective?
Music; Christian or not has the ability to break you out of life. Songs are powerful – they enable you to forget logic and facts that we so often seem to cling to in every day life. When I listen to certain songs that I have played through certain times in my life they bring me right back into that moment. They are powerful.
Not too long ago I walked through the toughest days I have ever been through. From not being a very ‘emotional’ person I found myself breaking down pretty much anywhere and everywhere. Yes, I was that person who went way beyond the do-not-make-eye-contact-on-British-transport and cried on the tube – only on a couple of occasions but they were those big fat tears you know the ones that you can’t just hide? Anywaaaay, it was around this time that ‘You Make Me Brave’ Bethel album came out and I found a whole new meaning behind songs I had never tapped into before. Listening to music I found was the only way I wouldn’t go over and over things in my head or cry (I think God was trying to save my nose from being destroyed by tissues more than anything!) but I had this album on repeat for months. It was like when I put my headphones in I was carried off in a little bubble – just me and God. I would forget what I was going through and just get totally and utterly caught up in the journey each song went on; the words, the instruments, the passion, the tune’s highs and lows.
The whole album spoke to me but one of my favourites was ‘Come to me’ (posted below). It speaks about God being our anchor (also in Hebrews 6:19) and that even in the darkest place He is our steadfast. Being reminded to just go to God and He was all I needed and just to keep my eyes on him was what got me through the toughest days. It’s not that I didn’t know this but listening to it in this song was like I was hearing it for the first time.
When you face things that just seem too big to even express or that are so overwhelming find your song. Find one that speaks right into what you’re facing and once you’ve got it play it over and over again, get lost in it and allow God to use the words and the song’s journey to carry you along in Him.
