Affected By Music

Did you ever notice how music can affect you? I've noticed in the past couple of days just the difference it can have in my life. I also notice it especially when I'm listening to a specific playlist when I'm writing.

On the book that I'm currently working on I have a playlist with a range in music that includes Alternative, Hip-Hop, Pop and Rock. My favorite artist to listen to while I write the book is Linkin Park. I don't know what it is about them but I have a theory. It sets the tone for my book and it gets me into the right mindset when it comes to what is going on in the book. The funny thing about one of the main characters in the book? He's a country boy living on his family's farm. But there is no country music included in the playlist I listen to for the book. Amazing!

Normally when I just want to belt out the words to a song, I switch between two main playlists. The names of those playlists are quite simple - "Country" and "Life". I especially listen to "Life" when I'm feeling down or something has me just melancholy. I can't narrow my favorites from that list down. Basically it consists of songs from Sidewalk Prophets, Jamie Grace, Chris Tomlin, Tenth Avenue North and of course Newsboys. I find myself listening to "Life" more than any other playlist. I've noticed I just feel lighter so to speak. I feel that I can do anything. But it's not just these songs, it's the how the artists let their music and their lyrics. If you don't know me, let me tell you straight up. I'm a Christian and I believe in God as the creator of the universe. Artists like Sidewalk Prophets and Tenth Avenue North, their songs were meant for me. I can honestly sing "You Love Me Anyway" by the Sidewalk Prophets or "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North, cry because something in the song has convicted me or because I just feel an overwhelming love for and from God. Then after I have finished singing that song, I hit repeat over and over just so I can remind myself how awesome my God is. The one that gets me every time is "Our God" by Chris Tomlin.

I know I took a tangent from talking about music but bear with me. Not only do the songs convict me or move me, but they make me realize what I've been doing and what I need to change in my life. Stuff that normally I could bury by hiding in my other playlists. I didn't have to feel those convictions and could ignore if I would only listen to a different playlist. But those songs aren't the same nor do they make me feel the level of intensity of emotion that my "Life" playlist does. Music is how we can get through to our generation. Music is how God is using people like Chris Tomlin to reach millions. You may think I'm weird, thinking that God is speaking to me through music. But He uses it to talk with me, to remind me that I don't always make time in my "busy" life for Him. It reminds me that I need to be reading His Word. And just like in the song "You Love Me Anyway" by Sidewalk Prophets, no matter what I do, no matter how badly I fail, God will always love me for who I am. Which is something I don't deserve, but He loves me anyway.