the music of life...

If you know me well, you know that I love music. I crave it really. New music. Good music. Music that says something, even if I don't quite know what it is. Music that makes me feel a pain, a passion, a purpose...just by listening to the singer. the lyrics. the beat. Music helps me heal. It motivates me to clean my room and fold my laundry. It comforts me on a long drive. It brings me to worship. It helps me to marinate on my own life, on the little moments. It gives my thoughts a voice. It dances with my heart and often sings softly to my soul. Music liberates me. Perhaps this is not the case for you. Perhaps you find your liberation and your voice in something else. That's ok. And if anyone ever heard me sing, they would definitely not understand my love of music. Maybe that's why I love it so much, because my appreciation stems from the fact that I can't do it. So I'm forced to listen to it. To truly hear it.

Songs often speak for me, to me, or about me and the things in life I love. Here are some lyrics I've enjoyed "hearing" as of late:

"I'm sorry...One foot in sea, one on shore. My heart was never pure, you know me. Love that will not betray you, dismay, or enslave you. It will set you free. Be more like the man you were made to be...There is a design, an alignment to cry, of my heart to see. The beauty of love as it was made to be." -Mumford and Sons

"I'm asking you Lord won't you please draw near...to open my eyes so that I can see how you are working in me. All I need is your love, so come and fill this heart of mine." -Shawn McDonald

"Some are reaching, few are there...everyday we try to find, we search our hearts and our minds. The place we used to call our home, can't be found when we're alone...so, have no envy and no fear." -Joshua Radin

"I got troubles Lord, but not today...cause there gonna wash away. I have sins Lord, but not today...cause there gonna wash away." -Joe Purdy

"Nothing can separate, even if I ran away. Cause Your love never fails...You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes..." -Chris Quilala

"Cause I'm picking up the message Lord and I'm closer than I've ever been before. So, if you have something to say, say it to me now..." -Glen Hansard (from movie Once)

Sometimes it's soothing to just listen, instead of wanting to hear the sound of our own voice, the noise of our own name. I encourage you, whether it's to music, to a friend, or to the Lord...to stop talking from time to time...and JUST LISTEN.