Christian Music Therapy

I love music. It’s a big part of my daily life. My friends often say that my signature look isn’t complete without earbuds hanging from my ears. Reaching for my iPod Classic isn’t a decision, it’s a reflex. I once left the house without headphones and it was a big deal. With such a significant portion of my day spent doing low mental capacity tasks- driving, editing spreadsheets cooking, It’s either talk to myself and make my loved ones worried, or listen to music. So I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about what’s going into my ears!

I’m not as dogmatic as some, but I find that it’s important to keep a close eye- or maybe a close ear- on what you’re allowing yourself to listen to. Too often I’ve been distracted by a catchy beat, or a pretty voice, and failed to realize that the song stands for everything but Jesus! Sure I listen to non christian music- The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, even some Frank Sinatra to name a few- as I believe that God works through all words and sounds and songs, not just the ones that reference him directly. But I do try to avoid music that actively weakens the most important relationship in my life- my relationship with God.

Guarding my mind isn’t easy. The radio is almost always a dud; with all the more secular stations I’ve had to invest in a bluetooth adaptor for my phone. It’s also made more or less difficult by the time of year- the winter holidays are the easiest, full of Christmas carols and inoffensive Christmas related songs. The summer is definitely my least favorite time- all those beachy summertime hits blaring about “tonight” and drugs and what not. I struggle to find good god-fearing podcasts but there are a few gems out there waiting to be found. Explore your options, find what works for you, and more importantly, what brings you closer to God.

I never have to wonder if what I’m listening to is bringing me closer to God because I only listen to what brings me closer to God. Invest the time in your playlists and your discography, surround yourself with music that’s filled to the brim with God’s love and peace and majesty.

One of my fondest memories of growing up was our yearly church choir. I attended a small church, and the leaders decided against a regular church choir, opting for a small worship team instead. Twice during the year, however, all the musically inclined in the congregation would stay after morning service and practice for our biannual Christmas and Easter choir. We sang classics- The Messiah, Christmas carols- and more modern pieces, and once a year, on the holidays themselves (or nearest Sunday) after singing a few hymns with the rest of the congregation, the choir would filter up to the front of the church and Mr. Jenning, our choir director would start us off.

I remember those moments as being magical. My church had singing every Sunday- the reason we didn’t have a more regular choir was because the leadership felt that a choir would give people the expectation that they didn’t have to sing- but singing in choir was always special. I think it was a deeper acknowledgement by our pastor of the importance and magic of music, and the deep, deep christian tradition found within the notes.

Music has always been an important part of religion. From the chants of catholic monks, to the hard rock worship services of megachurches, music has been inseparable from christianity. Some of the greatest pieces of music have been inspired by our faith. The first two lines of Mozart’s requiem translate as “Grant them eternal rest, Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. You are praised, God, in Zion, and homage will be paid to You in Jerusalem.” The kyrie
reads “Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.” It’s impossible to disassociate church and music and that is as it should be.

I believe that music- and choir especially- is the closest we can get to heaven in this life. There’s nothing as inspiring and as close to the wonder of god as being in sync with a hundred other people creating something that would be impossible to create alone. Music, and choir, is in my opinion the best proof of the existence of a kind and loving god. Within music, we find his love, and his grace, and his serenity and forgiveness and joy. Music and christianity are
inextricably linked, and singing in church is the greatest gift God has given his children.

Has there ever been a time where Music has been there for you? Often we find ourselves in situations where it doesn’t feel like we can talk to anyone. Maybe we believe we’ve let our loved ones down, or that if we confess to our elders that maybe we will be judged. Whatever is holding you back, I often find myself in plights exactly like these, where I have something weighing on my shoulders and I can’t think past my own insecurities to give it to God. In those
situations, however, I find myself turning to music therapy.

In my opinion, music therapy is an often overlooked and highly useful tool to combat feelings of inadequacy, and tackle whatever is standing in the way of your relationship with God. The World Federation of Music Therapists defines Music Therapy as “the professional use of music and its elements as an intervention in medical, educational, and everyday environments with individuals, groups, families, or communities who seek to optimize their quality of life and improve their physical, social, communicative, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health and wellbeing.” I find it to be so much more!

At the suggestion of my Christian therapist and elders, I now turn to music when I’m low. I’ve always been incredibly influenced and drawn by music, and it’s held a special place in my heart and life. When I need to feel closer to someone, I listen to music they’ve made, or music that reminds of them. When I’m feeling alone, I know to turn on sadder music, because it’s nice to feel like someone knows what I’m going through. And when I need to feel closer, I have a very special playlist, one that reminds of his power, and his love, and my unending eternal gratitude for this life he has given me: I listen to Choral music.

Whatever struggles you’re going through, I pray that you will read these words and plug in some headphones. My relationship with God has been strengthened through music therapy. Find your mix, your playlist- sign up for a streaming service and the music of the world is at your fingertips! Let God commune with you through music, and watch your relationship with him bloom into a symphony.