Music Can Change the World

"Music can change the world, because it can change people."

Bono

I've been thinking about music a lot lately. It's always a big part of my life, as a songwriter, singer and rabid consumer of songs. But lately, music has taken an even more prominent place in my consciousness. I'm in the middle of a Music Ministry class at ministerial school, and this new perspective is broadening my approach and helping me realize how very essential spiritual music is to my well being.

St. Augustine once said, "He who sings, prays twice." More and more, I feel this to be true in my own life. The lyrics of the song are a prayer that begins to change my mind, and that is important. Change your thinking, change your life, right? But singing out loud, letting the healing vibration of the music move through my body in a tangible way, begins to change my heart. It opens me up and lets love pour into my soul. I cry. I sway. I make crazy interpretive movements with my arms and hands. I think it's my personal version of speaking in tongues, allowing Spirit to use me as it will.

So today, I call for a celebration of positive spiritual music and the creators that bring it forth! Here are some ways you can play:

1. Choose a song you love and work with it in spiritual practice for the next week. Deepen into the lyrics, and see what messages it holds for you.

2. Reach out (via Facebook or email) to a songwriter or performer whose work has deeply touched you, and thank them. (You have no idea how much those messages mean, even to people who've heard it a million times before.)

3. Seek out some new spiritual music.

There's so much good stuff out there! If you don't know where to look, try checking out www.empowerma.com and listening to their Posi Radio. You just may find your new favorite!

I want to hear how music has inspired your spiritual practice, what music moves you and how you celebrate music in your life!