As I sat enjoying a cup of tea at a local shop, I noticed the words on the back of a young man’s T-shirt. I waited until he and his family got up to leave before speaking to him.
“I love the message on your shirt,” I told him and he shook his head in agreement, adding that he was a musician and often had proven it to be true. Here’s what it said, “When words fail, music speaks.”
I thought about those words often and as if to reinforce the message, I received a confirmation on the same topic. I was behind a vehicle at an intersection when I noticed a banner on the back fender of that car. “Caution!” it read and of course I took notice. I assumed it would read Child on Board or a warning of some other important issue. Not so, but here’s what it did say, “Caution! Driver is Singing.”
Between a chuckle and a memory of the slogan on that young man’s shirt, I pondered the significance and importance of music. On a personal level and although I don’t claim to be a great musician, I thoroughly enjoy singing and playing my piano.
It’s been said that music can soothe the savage beast (or savage breast, depending on which version of the quote you prefer) but if there is anything that we need in our innermost beings, it’s a song. Living in a world of escalating violence and devastation it is easy to be pulled down by circumstances around us; how important, then, to replenish our hearts and souls with the encouragement and joy that comes from knowing God is faithful, no matter what.
“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19
