The Power of Music
A few weeks ago I was thinking about the power of music and how it has played a role in my life and my recovery journey. I’ve written a few songs over the past several years and love the way that music brings our stories and our thoughts to life. I wrote one song, in particular, a few years back about the struggle we find ourselves in throughout life and the promises of a God that never leaves or forsakes us. The band I played with at that time arranged and recorded it. Music can transport us. It takes me to places that I can’t get to on my own. If I’m listening to something happy, it evokes those feelings. Some songs have unearthed feelings I didn’t even know were there and gives a voice to the internal groaning we all have. In fact, it was a song by Jars of Clay that struck a chord in me at a young age in a desperate time.
Strangely out of place
There's a light filling this room
Where none would follow before
I can't deny it burns me up inside
I fan the flames to melt
Away from my pride
Do I want shelter from the rain
Or the rain to wash my way?
I need you, I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for
I might sound like a fool
But I think I felt you moving
Closer to me
Face to the ground
To hide the fatal cut
I fight the weight
I feel you lift me up
You are the shelter from the rain
And the rain to wash me away
You're all I'm living for
All I'm living for
You're all I'm living for
I remember sitting in my car with tears streaming down my face as I realized that He was always there. I knew Him and always had. Man, music is powerful, I connected with something that I had known but hadn’t physically felt until that moment and I credit the music. It was like the music lifted it out of me to see and to feel. I pushed eject on the CD player. The realization was too much. I don’t even know if I can tell you today the fullness of what this song meant to me then. Music is such a gift and is a vehicle that moves us. Its notes penetrate our deepest woundings and our most epic celebrations. I look at the words of this song today and although they are familiar, they seem a bit empty on the page. Perhaps I’ll go and listen to the song again. Music is powerful and for me an important part of my life. How about you? What has the power of music done for you lately?
***The song I wrote is titled “Life” sung by my friend Josh Price with Woodlands Music. Go take a listen. You can find it on Apple Music or Spotify.