What's in a song?

On my way home tonight, from a great night out with the young adults from church, Zeke and I were listening to a CD in the car, and singing along, when I stopped and started to think about the lyrics that I was singing. I thought to myself, how did these words get put together and end up as a song? What made the author of this song, write these words?
Did they experience something that they wrote out and wanted to share? Did they see a need for others to hear it and relate to it? Was it their feelings; their thoughts and ideas; their understanding of it, or perhaps a misunderstanding of it? I don't know...but what I do know is that the lyrics of a song can change a persons life, their perspectives, their feelings.

Now I'm not just talking about christian songs (which Zeke & I did happen to be listening to), I'm talking about secular songs too. We hear songs about men being cheaters & liers, and women are spoken of as objects, the world is seen as corrupt, there's hatred, misinterpretation, under valuing of relationships, etc...how does this make us feel? Do these songs change our thinking about each other, about our value in society? I'm sure they do for some people. And yet we still are happy to sing along to the radio...half the time, not even realising what we're singing.

Mark 4:24 (MSG) – “Listen carefully to what I {Jesus} am saying, and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own”

Turning it back around to the positives, we can stop and listen to a song and it can completely change our world for the better. The lyrics of a song may be soothing to our souls, they may be the answer we've been looking for. Sometimes we can relate to what the artist is singing about, and we feel like we're no longer alone...sometimes the lyrics are the exact expression of what we haven't ourselves been able to express. Songs can comfort us through a difficult time.

"I have come to this ocean, and the waves of fear are starting to grow. The doubts and questions are rising with the tide So I'm clinging to the one sure thing I know … I will hold on to the hand of my Savior. I will hold on with all my might." from Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Hold Onto Jesus" from his Signs of Life album.

"I'm hurting Lord, this world can hit me so hard. Heal me with Your grace. … You are my strength at all times. There is nothing I will fear 'cause You are here. You are my refuge and hope. Quench my thirsty soul. Be alive in my heart, Father I'm praying You are." from "You Are" on The Katinas' album Destiny.

Have you ever really stopped and thought about the kinds of songs you listen to when you're happy? What about when you're sad? Angry? Tired? Stressed? They're not always the same. We try to find songs that match up with how we're feeling, or songs that will make us feel better. But do they? We really need to take more notice of the songs that we allow to minister into our lives, especially when we're feeling vulnerable. What are we singing when we turn on the radio? Do I believe what the artist is singing, or am I just singing it cause it's catchy? No, I don't want to just sing any song...I want the songs that I sing, and the songs that I listen to, to give me strength, to give me guidance, comfort, assurance. They need to align with my beliefs, my values. They shouldn't be down-grading or negative...I don't want to allow negativity to minister into my heart!

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”

So my challenge to you is that you stop and listen to the lyrics of the songs that you're singing along to. Hear the words and question whether or not you should be singing them. And if not...perhaps adjust your radio dial!