Sacred vs Secular Music

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of music. I really, really, like it. Music has been a companion of mine since infancy. It has brought comfort, solace, validation, and expression of what I feel, but am unable to articulate. Recently I had a conversation with my mom, who shared her trouble as a new mom in knowing what to do with me. Desperate for relief from my cries, she took me to church. Every day for a week in the evening and in the solace of stained glass windows and music I was quiet. The other attendants would comment on how at peace I was in the setting of music and beauty and it was there my mom dedicated me to God.

Which brings me back to music. As with many of you, my life has been filled with many challenges and music was a way that I identified and dealt with the pain and joy. "Don't Pull your Love out on me Baby", by Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds was what I placed as my father's cry for my mom not to leave my dad in divorce. Her reply came in Carole King's, "It's too Late". Marvin Gaye's, "What's Going On?" spoke to the turmoil and sadness I felt with racism.

About two months ago I heard a song by Adele, entitled "Rolling in the Deep". I was struck while listening that it sounded like God speaking to the beautiful Lucifer of betrayal, when the betrayer "could of had it all". I feel it speaks to the incredible pain God must have experienced when a l/3 of angels led by one who decided to focus on living lies.

All of the songs I have thus alluded to are what we might call "secular", but I have found comfort and truth in the lyrics and melody. Sometimes I think we get so hung up on what we think is proper or we might judge as acceptable instead of going deeper and seeing value. I don't think the lines of music with God are as clear cut as we like to make them. We separate, judge, condemn and yes punish in regard to our tastes.

In all of this I do believe there are guidelines of what is lovely, good and pure. Music that demands rape, abuse or language that would make most blush or make sex a recreational activity I am not comfortable with. Sometimes, while listening to a station that would be sanctioned by many I am honestly sickened by the sugary coating of a theology that is much deeper than the words indicate. So bottom line is pay attention to the words, the message and don't worry so much about the messenger. God can use rocks to cry out the glory of praise, who are we to put limitations on who those rocks are? Do I dare say, God used an ass to speak what was true to a prophet who wasn't paying attention as well. There is much that is good in music that God has given and its forms are as varied and unique as the Triune, Eternal God I profess.

So today, I have Michael Buble's, "Sun in the Sky, you know how I feel, Birds flying high you know how I feel. . . . It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life, and I'm feeling good! These words are ringing in my head and it is declaring the joy of the beauty of this world that God has given and the hope of one day it truly will be a new dawn and a new day and I LOVE IT!