Music and worship go hand in hand.

Ba-da-BUM-ba-da,

Ba-da-BUM-ba-da…

The first few notes of a favorite old song come through my radio.

My mind jumps from the dishes in my sink to a particular day back in May of 1999.  I’m back in my car, driving home from the elementary school where I worked.

I’ve been sent home early, but not given the reason.

“Your family called.  You need to go home. Right now.  We’ll take care of things here.”   The horrified look on the enduringly sweet and always positive school counselor’s face tells me it’s bad.  Very bad.

In my car, my fingers grip the steering wheel tightly, this two mile drive seeming to take an eternity.

There is an enormous mass of anxiety and fear in my chest.  As I sit impatiently at a red light, one of my absolute favorite songs begins to play… Ba-da-BUM-ba-da, Ba-da-BUM-ba-da…

I reach down and quickly turn the radio off.  I don’t yet know what news awaits me at home, but I know I don’t want this song to be forever tainted by the unknown tragedy ahead.

Too late.

Those first few notes… Ba-da-BUM-ba-da, Ba-da-BUM-ba-da… they now stir up memories: the disbelief and shock on my fiance’s face as he tells me the news my best friend and would-have-been sister in law was killed.  The haunted grief on her husband’s face as I hug him when he arrives.  Sitting and rocking HER babies to sleep that night, a surreal mix of denial and grief overwhelming me.

Music evokes memories, and becomes the soundtrack of our lives.

Fast forward 14 years.  I’m grudgingly out for an evening walk, feeling frustrated, grumpy and not in the mood for my favorite exercise. The song playing through my earbuds ends. There is a short pause, and then the first twinkling piano notes of a favorite Aaron Shust song begin to play.

A smile lights my face. My mood shifts.

The song plays, and memories flood over me of the many times I’ve listened to this song while walking and talking to God.  I’m reminded this walk is yet another chance to worship.  Suddenly my frustration eases, my grumpiness is forgotten, and the walk becomes about spending time with the Father.  All it took was a few notes. Music and worship go hand in hand.

Music sets a mood, evokes our memories from the past, and can be used as a tool to connect us with God in everyday life.

How do you use music as a tool to connect with God?  Use it to create a soundtrack for your life.  Find the worship songs you love, play them in the car, at home, as your exercise. Let God speak to you through notes, lyrics and melody, and connect with Him through the music.  You’ll be creating positive connections in your mind that will come back to you in the future when you need a gentle reminder to connect with Him.

Need help getting started?

Desert Song is one of my current favorites on my own soundtrack right now because it describes several different seasons of prayer, and it comes full circle.  I love this version by Tricia Brock.  If you haven’t heard this song, you can listen to the Hillsong version on YouTube.

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is a God who provides

Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will DECLARE
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it’s way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve recieved I will sow

 

I wonder… What song is playing on your soundtrack today?   We’d love for you to leave a comment and share your current favorites with us!