my first minister...music

I cannot imagine my life without music. It has always kept my interest. It was my minister long before I ever met God. Music spoke of the turmoil that was going around me and provided me a way out. To some degree it still does.

Of all the celebrities out there it was the rock stars I emulate the most. They are able to put their thoughts into words in ways I never could. One of my best friends is a musician down in California and his ability to tell a story through song astounds me. I want what he has, but alas I cannot even clap on beat. Maybe, my inability to create music is why I love it so much.

Its funny my friend, the musician, when he buys a CD the first thing he listen is the music, the chords, the instruments, etc. Me, when I buy a CD I listen to words. Music has the ability to reach people on so many levels, for me it’s the words. I love the way music speaks of the conditions of life. Songs seem to describe the human conditions in terms that are not limited to one person and their experience. Music provides commentary on the world and where we are. I think music can say so much.

Currently, the CD that is speaking to me is Ray LaMontagne’s Trouble. Something about it speaks of the longings of my heart. However, I don’t know how to put it words.

I guess to answer the question of whether God has ever spoken to me through music; the answer is undoubtedly, yes. From the days before I knew Christ music has ministered to me. It has kept me company when I was lonely and scared, and gave me a voice when I was unable or unwilling to speak. Music often steps between me and world, often in the way Christ does God for me. It provides me an acceptable offering of whatever it is I have give and I guess that is why I keep going back to the record store, keep turning on the radio and feel lost with my iPod.