Healing Rays of Righteousness

I always loved relaxing on the patio of our previous residence after sunset and listening to the evening music of God’s little creatures, watching the flickering lights of lightning bugs, and following the fast turns and dives of bats and swallows as they catch an evening meal of mosquitoes. And this was often an evening highlight during our many travel-trailer camping experiences.

Now retired from active ministry, I continue to enjoy relaxing on our back porch glider at our present residence, even though the nearby traffic noise overwhelms much of the creaturely music and flight entertainment.

I was enjoying such an evening when my thoughts turned to the important role of song and music in our lives. To live in a world without music would be so depressing, so hopeless, so much like hell, which the Bible describes as a place of eternal great sorrow and weeping. And in contrast, the Bible describes heaven as a place filled with great gladness, joy, and singing.

Music is often said to be a universal language that awakens feelings and thoughts in people everywhere and crosses all cultural and geographical boundaries. Music evokes joy and sadness, praise and petition, memory, and hope. It is both the song and the cry of the heart.

Music has the power to quiet and energize the heart and mind, influencing our thoughts and actions. Music is healing therapy to the weary, the hurting, or the despondent soul.  Martin Luther wrote that music is even effective in driving the Devil away.

In her book, A Deepening Love Affair, Dr. Jane Marie Thibault writes, “Music, secular as well as sacred, can bring many of us into the presence of God very quickly and powerfully. Music affects the limbic system of the brain, the center that has control over all of our feelings. …which in turn affects the temporal cortex, a section which seems to be sensitive to the spiritual.” 

Dr. Thibault continues, “Think about the role music plays in your spiritual life. What kind of music moves you to tears? What makes you joyful, hopeful, peaceful, repentant, and happy? What kind of music draws you into yourself? What pulls you out of yourself?”

I often experience music as the means whereby my soul is ushered into the presence of God with joyful praise and/or loving prayer. There have been many times that my walk outside, appreciating the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, that I am inspired to sing “My God, How Great Thou Art.”  Even a cloudy and rainy morning may stir within me the melody and words of “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings”and on a snowy morning the hymn “Whiter Than Snow.”

A hymn that has become a meaningful prayer of petition for me is “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”  I have often found renewed courage and strength during difficult days or uncertain circumstances by singing that prayer hymn in my thoughts.

I could continue with a long listing of music that has stirred my emotions and aided my spiritual journey, but the above is sufficient to illustrate the potential music can have in drawing us into a closer relationship with God.

Yes, God created the hills, and the valleys, to be alive with music for that very purpose. I cannot listen to a mockingbird singing his seemingly endless repertoire of songs without my spirit being lifted and encouraged.

I encourage you to think about what music and songs you may have been listening to and singing or humming during the past months. Can you say that they are inspiring and encouraging you in your life journey? If not, maybe you need to change your choice of music.

Dr. Thibault concludes, “Other kinds of music may be more important to you. Classical pieces have enormous power to evoke spiritual feelings and remind us of God. Even jazz, which was one of Merton’s favorite forms of music, can do this for some. …How about the love song from West Side Story – “One Hand, One Heart”? Some hymns could not come as close as this to being prayer. So, try experimenting with music as a medium for prayer – it may quicken your spirit more than any other way of being with God.”

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 6/19/24