Thoughts From a Random Mind 

 

            In 1835, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow*said, “Music is the universal voice of mankind.” Ludwig Van Beethoven said, “Music is the language of God.” Taking it a step further, Philosopher Peter Kreeft** wrote that "God is love, and music is the language of love; therefore, music is the language of God.". These statements acknowledge music's ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.

The beautiful thing about music is that there don’t even have to be lyrics to have an effect on you.  Classical or Jazz music in its purest form can evoke emotions from the average man without a single word being said. This opens the door to your own personal interpretation of the music itself.

While I grew up loving a wide variety of musical styles, I find that the only music WITH lyrics that truly blesses the soul and refreshes the mind is Contemporary Christian Music. The lyrics shared are typically positive and uplifting, leaving you to think about what you had just heard. Christian music is tied to the message God seeks to share with the masses.

A person can perform beautiful, meaningful music when they allow Almighty God to influence what they are doing. Sadly, some make some sort of pact with the devil to achieve fame and monetary success, but that leads nowhere in the end. Those that are far from God are spiritually dead and don’t have a gift of music from the Lord. 

            So as not to be misunderstood, I grew up on 60s & 70s rock and love a lot of it. My favorite group growing up was Queen; to me the most talented group ever, but I’m biased. There’s a lot of really good music out there and I’m not saying that a secular song can’t move someone. It absolutely can. Since I became a Christian back in 1979 I’ve gravitated toward a relatively steady diet of Christian music, because I need to hear the encouragement being offered in the songs. Life is hard, Jesus makes it easier if you allow it to. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator. His original works include the poems "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline.

** Peter John Kreeft (/kreɪft/; born March 16, 1937) is an American professor of philosophy at Boston College and The King's College. A convert to Catholicism, he is the author of over eighty books on Christian philosophy, theology and apologetics. He also formulated, together with Ronald K. Tacelli, Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics.