I recently was reminded of how important music was in our home growing up. As new believers, and in the center of the Jesus movement, my parents fell in love with songs that began what we now know as Christian Music.
The Imperials, Whiteheart, Russ Taft, Love Song, Evie, and many more played on speakers that were planted in every room of our house. And Easter morning would never have been complete without being awakened very early by the three gongs that were the preface to the Easter Song by Second Chapter of Acts.
I have rarely returned to that original music. But a few weeks ago I decided to collect what I could and create a playlist. And of course, I had to share with my siblings.
As I played the music, I was taken back to such an innocent place. Dancing around the house and praising Jesus, even if I didn’t realize what that fully meant. It still counts for the kingdom!
This morning I woke with lyrics on my mind. I couldn’t remember the artist or specific song, but two verses were crystal clear. And I started pondering how I was spiritually formed by this early music.
I found the song, the Eagle Song by the Imperials.
The first verse shed light on my incredible love of Eagles. And my connection to God as he brings Eagles into view at critical times in life. The verse:
I stood and watched an eagle fly
He spread his wings and soared across the sky
So gracefully he flew
Rising effortlessly
I wanted to know just how to be free
And the second verse spoke to my passion for people to learn to abide in Christ (the Kingdom) and not in the world. And certainly not in our intellect where we reason away the Supernatural in postmodern times. (The 1960’s on). And when I refer to Supernatural, I am referring to the worldview of the biblical authors where the supernatural was as real as the material—the overlapped life in the Garden of Eden.
When Jesus tells us in Matthew 18, that “we will not inherit the kingdom of God unless we become like little children” he tells us we need to trade our intellect controlled by the flesh (what we call wisdom) for God’s wisdom. This verse shed light on why that is so important to me.
What human intellect can’t sway
Must be explained away
Earth wisdom, religions of men
Searched without end to fill
The spirit house within
Simplicity of God somehow escapes man
I wonder how music has formed you? Or more importantly, how is it forming you now?
And that’s the mid-week memo.
Colleen
