I’m going to venture off the beaten path today. I have always been moved by the power of music. I find music absolutely fascinating, because it is truly a universal language. Anywhere in the world, no matter the language or the society, education or financial resources, music is intuitively understood.
Play notes that fit the scale and beauty might be an adequate description of the result. Hit a note that does not fit the key, and awful might be an adequate descriptor. We all seem to know this, even when we don’t know why!
I personally like a lot of different types of music, but my favorites are always the songs that (to me) bring fellowship between the music and the lyric. A powerful lyric is just a poem without the music, and the music is wanting without the matching lyric. And a toe-tapping beat is good, but nothing compared to a beat and lyric that was meant to be united.
And then there is the vocal side too. A singer with great passion and heart for the lyric always conveys a spiritual component lacking for the performer that does not relate to the music (example-Listen to Ronnie Dunn sing I Believe). I believe instrumental pieces and/or soloists can also convey this truth (listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan bring the emotion through his ending solo).
I have to say my all-time favorite artist is Don Williams. I regret I was never able to see him live. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 78. Don Williams was nicknamed the “gentle giant”, and with his baritone voice and talk build the description fit.
I recently started exploring spotify, and through it you can set up channels which reflect your preferences. Setting up a Don Williams channel and accessing several playlists, I ran across a few songs of his I had never heard. As it turns out, these songs were from his final album entitled ‘Reflections’. I believe it to be the best album he ever made.
I bring this up because I want to introduce you to one of the songs on Don Williams ‘Reflections’ album. It is quite fitting for this season we are in, and you can listen to it HERE.
Our verse for today comes from James 1:12 (ESV)-
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Almighty Father, today I pray for a stronger back and a bigger heart, I pray for the will to keep on walking, with the way get dark. I don’t pray for a lighter load, I pray for a stronger back; through Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who reign with Thee and the Holy Spirit, One God, world without end. AMEN.