Who doesn’t like jamming out to a favorite song? Provided it’s not blasphemous, there’s nothing wrong with that. What’s your flavor? Hard rock or classical? Rap or country? Alternative or gospel? There’s plenty to choose.
Most music has an original message, a story to tell, but many songs are earworms simply for their chorus. Lots of times, music has one intention, but the listener finds a meaning all for him or herself.
God’s Instruments
God can use anything to get our attention. He can use anything to inspire us. He comes to us, wherever we are, speaking to us so we can understand. Sometimes, God might use a friend to help us. He might lead us to a Bible passage. Have you ever experienced a holy message through music?
I’ve experienced God’s promptings through music a number of times. Here are just a few examples of how the Lord has spoken to me through the muse of music.
“Forgiven” by Skillet
I spent my young adult years as stage crew at Christian concerts and got exposed to a lot of Christian rock. One favorite band is Skillet—I was a metalhead in high school.
I couldn’t help but notice how Catholic one song sounded. “Forgiven” sings about confession so clearly.
I’m in a secret place, alone in Your embrace
Where all my wrongs have been erased
You have forgiven
It’s the perfect song to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation. I can only hope its lyrics draw others to repentance as well.
“Higher” by Creed
Here’s a song with a chorus that speaks more than the verses. When I hear “Higher” by Creed, I think of asking Jesus to take me higher, elevating my soul above the noise and chaos of this world and into God’s presence.
Can you take me higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To a place with golden streets
You’re either thinking of heaven or the Eucharist. The Eucharist elevates our souls, clears us of the messy world, and cleanses us for heaven. It’s not a song I’d play during Adoration, but it’s a concept I visit in that moment for sure.
“Smooth” by Santana
This one’s even further from Catholic teaching, yet God gave me this earworm for a good week—just the chorus mind you. I couldn’t shake it.
Give me your heart, make it real, or else forget about it.
His message was simple: be all in.
I got the message and had to take a hard look at how I was handling some things. God doesn’t like half-hearted attempts. In fact, God really dislikes lukewarm hearts (Rev 3:16). This means don’t waffle, but commit. Don’t be lazy, but be disciplined. Don’t hesitate, but move.
“Move (Keep Walkin’)” by TobyMac
Speaking of moving, another favorite song of mine is by TobyMac. I had the pleasure of seeing his opening as a solo artist and last performance in DC Talk. He’s been the most successful of the trio, and he’s been open about many of his hardships. One of his songs I love is “Move (Keep Walkin’)” for its encouraging vibe.
I know your heart been broke again
I know your prayers ain’t been answered yet
I know you’re feeling like you got nothing left
Well, lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet, so
Keep walkin’, soldier keep movin’ on…
When faced with discouragement in this ugly world, this song powers me up and reminds me to take up my cross and soldier on. If nothing else, it’s a killer workout song.
Keep Listening
You never know how God might speak to you. It could be a short chorus repeating in your head, a different personal meaning to a popular song, or an all-out Christian, or even Catholic artist. He uses all kinds to speak to us, meeting us where we are and calling us closer to Jesus.
Has God ever used an unlikely (or likely) song to speak to you?