And the Beat Goes On

Music is one of the things in the world that makes people unite from various places, backgrounds, and even ages. It’s a common bond that serves as a language to help connect us together. It connects our relationships. It connects seasons in our lives.  This isn’t something new. God created music just like He created each of us. He also designed the family. He created it all for His praise. As we look into the Bible we hear about music. How David sang songs to God and instruments were played like harps, cymbals and horns. Because God designed us to worship Him, I believe He designed us to be drawn to Him by music.

I heard an interesting bit of information a few years ago. By the time you are eighteen years old, there are over 10,000 songs in your brain.  Wow, if you’re like me, you read that and immediately started making a list of the songs that are filed away in your mind. #1 “Amazing Grace,”#2 “Old MacDonald,” #3 “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” #4 “The Hokey Pokey”…ok, we would be here all day if we made that list.  How amazing though that our brains are holding the melodies and song lyrics to 10,000 songs.  Please note it doesn’t hold the info of 10,000 historical facts, emails, mathematical equations, or so on.  There are plenty of things we all need to memorize whether it’s at home or work but we struggle with remembering the information. Let’s talk about why songs have such influence in our lives.

Music is powerful. It connects us with so many important events in our lives.  What song do you hear that takes you back to a distant memory?

Advertising agencies get the power of music and utilize it to tie their brand into your awareness. Think of how many McDonald’s jingles from days gone by you can sing. “I’m loving it!”

When I recount my own childhood it’s filled with songs I experienced. I remember their melodies but more importantly their lyrics penetrated my core and I recall them to this day. I grew up in the days where Christian music for kids was by guys named Psalty, Colby, Donut Man and Nicodemus. I can hear a certain song and it immediately takes me back to a place or an event in my life. I can also hear something said in a sermon or a conversation and instantly hear one of those childhood songs filled with God’s Word playback in my mind.

Music helps us learn. It’s amazing to me that I can sing you a song from my childhood that I haven’t thought about in years or maybe even decades. It seems like the last time was just yesterday.  What a blessing it is when it’s a song with a spiritual truth, scripture, or promise from God’s word. A seed that was planted so many years ago that took root in my life and now provides encouragement and strength in my walk with Christ. I believe that those same seeds take root in the lives of both kids and adults. As they grow and go through their lives, when they are faced with conflict, or have choices to make…God’s word in the songs they’ve experienced is what will come out.

The message of the songs can teach Bible stories and character traits so that when our lives are shaken – faith, hope, and compassion for others are what comes out. The Bible tells us to meditate on God’s word and it being in the songs we sing will help us to take it in, say it with our mouth, and let it take root in our hearts.

If music is powerful and helps us learn, then how are you utilizing music with your family to teach them about Jesus?  What songs do you sing around the house? What’s the soundtrack of your family’s car? I’m not saying you can only ever listen to Christian music with your kids, but I am encouraging you that as a parent you can use music as a tool to help your kids fall in love Jesus and plant the Word of God in their hearts. After all the bible promises us that His Word will not return void.  Isaiah 55:11, “…so is My word that goes out from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (NIV)

I am passionate about creating relevant music for kids that they love (and that parents love too.) I use the gifts and talents God has given me to write songs, sing, and perform them because I want kids to have super fun music where they can sing, dance, jump, and shout to show God their love. Why do I do it? Because I’ve seen firsthand in my own life the impact that music makes.