Music: Right or Wrong

I've been going through a rather confusing time lately, in regard to music. You see, I like so much of it. I like classical, some country (what I like, I like a lot, what I don't like, I can't stand); I like bluesy, jazzy stuff and R&B (the stuff that you can listen to outside the bedroom--much of it is very sensual); I like reggae, and I love Indian (middle-eastern) music. I also love Christian music of many genres (contemporary, gospel, rock - not the hard stuff, Celtic. So, when it comes to what to listen to, there is so much that I like, I could just become consumed with listening to it.

Until the last few months, when I've been on this self-exploration, learning-who-I-really-am kick, I listened to nothing (almost, I have to have my occasional binge on some of my favorites) but Christian music. In exploring my tastes to find out what I really like, I've been frustrated that in Christian music I can't find much in the sounds that I like (jazzy stuff, or reggae, or more Celtic). So, to find those sounds that move me, I deviated off the Christian music path.

After making two trips to Kansas City in the past week, listening to different styles of music the entire way, here's what I've concluded, for me. (First, before I go there, I have to say that no music style is sinful. The lyrics may very well be, and quite often are, but I don't presume to judge anyone by what style they listen to).

On the trip last weekend, I listened to my favorite Caroline Aikens, Dan Fogelberg, and Norah Jones. And I was filled with such longing. Yes, I was moved, but I was so sad and filled with yearning for what is missing in my life. I felt such discontent with where I am, and with my aloneness at this time in my life.

So today when I went, I listened to 4 Him, and Mercy Me, and Sheila Walsh (when my voice grows up, it wants to be Sheila Walsh's voice). I listened to messages of praise, and of answered prayer, and of hope. And my day was beautiful. It was peaceful, and restful, and hopeful. And it was focused on Jesus. Not on me and my sadness, not on my aloneness, not on my worries, but on Jesus, the Author and the Perfector of my faith.

So, in conclusion, I've discovered this for myself....Secular, worldly music fills me with longing, while Christian music (in the styles that I enjoy) just fills me! Secular music draws me, but music with a Biblical message about God draws me closer to Him! Susannah Wesley once said these words, and they come to my mind now...."Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things; whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, that thing, for you, is sin." And I don't think that I'm sinning by listening to some of the music that I enjoy. But I do believe that the best thing I can do for my walk with my Savior is to listen predominantly to music that brings Him glory and brings me hope.