The Soul-Reaching Power of Music

break | violin snail on music sheet | iolin,instrument,music,rehershal,break,violin maker,string instrument,string,wood,brown,sound,old,craft,art,play,enjoy,concert,musician,orchestra,solo,soloist,listen,work,classic,classical,snail,strings,loud,music sheI’m not a cryer–my closest friends and family will confirm this. Friend Nicole Petrino-Salter even referenced me in a blog post this week, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Apparently, I’ve previously mentioned my “ice queen” status when it comes to emotions.

No, I don’t cry at sappy movies. Not even during Marley & Me. Not even when >spoiler alert< Éponine dies in Les Misérables >end alert<. Of course my daughter and husband, who book ended me during that movie, were both sniffling. I, well, I chuckled. Not that I thought it was funny; that just is my natural, if backwards, reaction.

I don’t tear up reading books either, no matter how angst ridden they are, though I’ve been told that my book has spawned a few tears from its readers.

Blame it on the little bit of Scandihoovian blood in me.

But I will confess that there is something that will make me tear up, something that touches that deep, deep part of my soul that nothing else can reach.

Music

And usually when I’m singing. Not every song has this effect. Handel’s Messiah, particularly the Hallelujah Chorus, will touch me, as will traditional Easter music, Jesus Christ is Risen Today or Crown Him With Many Crowns. Give me big organ, big choir, and loads of brass and the Holy Spirit’s presence becomes beautifully overwhelming.

Then there are the modern day worship songs that compel me to stop whatever I’m doing and focus on Christ. Phillips, Craig and Dean‘s Revelation Song, Great I Am, and Saved the Day all give me goosebumps, as does Kutless‘ Amazed (see video below) and Kari Jobe‘s Forever and David PhelpsNo More Night. There are more, but these are the songs that immediately come to mind. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the majority of these songs are Easter music.

Hearing my daughter sing or my son play trombone also touch the deepest part of me.

And going back to Les Misérables. I can’t possibly listen to Alfie Boe‘s interpretation of Bring Him Home without being changed. Just wow!

Why music resonates with me, why it awakens my emotions when nothing else does is a mystery. What I do know is that this beautiful music we hear on earth is just a whisper of what we’ll hear in Jesus’ presence, and I can’t wait to hear that heavenly chorus!

What touches you deep down that nothing else reaches?

Amazed
by Kutless