“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
We believe that God is the source of all that is beautiful and life-giving. We believe that God is the one who first imagined music and gave it to us for our joy. Though I enjoy a fairly eclectic range of music; music isn’t really my thing beyond the superficial enjoyment of the sound or poetry. I know what I like, but I couldn’t tell you if it was written in C Major, or if the lead voice was a soprano. Eighth notes, tremolos, and harmonies whiz past while I only register “this sounds good to me,” or “this does not sound so good to me!”
Even if I don’t fully understand music, I recognize that it influences how I think. I’ve found that the music to which I listen often reflects my current mood. It can carry that mood and intensify those feelings. Music can influence more than mood. It can influence thought as well. One experience comes to mind.
In college there was a time when I had been pursuing a young woman who I thought was interested in me as well. Tragedy of tragedies: she wasn’t. My melancholy mood expressed itself in melancholy music. I did not realize in that moment how the music was intensifying my mood. One night, I read Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). My visceral, angry reaction at Paul’s words surprised me and brought to me a moment of clarity. I needed to change the music that was filling my mind. Despite its apparent conflict with my mood, I began choosing music that expressed strength, hope, perseverance, and opportunity.
My mood did not instantly change. I continued in that melancholy state for a little longer. However, the intensity of it and the way I thought about it began to change. I could see my melancholy with a little more perspective and a little more hope. This new selection of music helped bolster a sense of determination to overcome. Overcome I did. I’m now married to my best friend and the love of my life. I could have used music to keep me in the quagmire, but I chose to use music to help me see a way out.
How will you choose to use God’s gift of music?
Rev. Drew Haynes, Pastor of Campus Operations
