Setting The Mood

I am sure many of us have been scanning the radio stations and come across a song that caught your ear. Maybe it was catchy; It had an amazing guitar rift, a shoe-tapping beat or unbelievable vocals. People often feel that they can listen to music without the words effecting them. I have numbed myself to the context of the words before, or justified them, but I have not been able to shut them out. Somehow, I find myself soaking up the tone and message and having it consume my mood. In the past, when I was depressed I would throw on Jewel or something that I found melancholy. Angry? I'd crank up Garbage or some other screaming, rock group. I have since come to the shocking conclusion that this only drags me down. Sounds simple, but I know I am not the only one who finds it enjoyable to wallow in pity. If I am upset, I don't want to ruin that by smiling and moving on, or giving in and admitting I was wrong. However, this is not a lecture on whether or not to listen to secular music. Think back to the song on the radio you stopped for. Was it catchy, or did a word or two enter your ears and hit close to your heart? More often it will be the music or vocals that attracts me to a song, but I also find there are some songs that lyrically could have been penned by me. Not in the sense of talent, but in that the words are as if they sat down and interviewed me. These are the songs I now choose to listen to more often. I find a song is a lot more meaningful, and lasting if I can wrap my heart around it. My hope is that at least one of these songs you will be able to read and exclaim, "That is me!"

1) Let Go-Barlowgirl
There are many moments in my life where I have curled up and just wanted to give up. I did not understand what God was doing in my life and I was afraid to move on. He was calling me to do something beyond my own strength and it was scary. This song is about those feelings. Barlowgirls inspiration behind the song says it best:
“ 'Is God gonna come through for me this time? Is he going to get me through this one? What he told me to do is really scary! Should I really wear modest clothes/stop dating/quit my job * ??? (insert what God is telling you to do here)'
This, guys, is the point of victory. This is where the rubber meets the road. Everything up to this point is just talk. Faith in God means action. Just saying you have faith isn’t enough.
That’s what this song is. The chorus is the terrifying, scary, adrenaline rush of trusting God.
Oh, and it’s worth it. ;-)"---Barlowgirl
http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/barlowgirl/let-go.html

2) Voice of Truth-Casting Crowns
From the opening words, until the end, I can completely relate to this song. I wish my faith were stronger. I have wanted to step out of my comfort zone and trust God was not going to let me fall, only to cave to Satan's lies and the discouraging words people throw at me. I love the chorus though, because it is what I have to remind myself constantly, "The voice of truth tells me a different story."
"But the voice of truth tells me a different story/The voice of truth says, 'Do not be afraid!'/The voice of truth says, 'This is for My glory'/Out of all the voices calling out to me/I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth."---Casting Crowns
http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/casting-crowns/voice-of-truth.html

3) More Than You'll Ever Know-Watermark
I have been blessed with more than one person I could sing this to, but I can apply it to my husband right now. He has been a true friend through many trials. When he comes home from work and tells me he has prayed for me, it shows me his love. He fights my fights with me, and I am very grateful to have a best friend who brings me closer to God.
" 'Cause you've been more than a friend to me /You fight off my enemies /'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life/ And you'll never know what it means to me /Just to know you've been on your knees for me/ Oh, you have blessed my life /More than you'll ever know."---Watermark
http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/watermark/more-than-youll-ever-know.html

4) I Need You to Love Me-Barlowgirl
I can relate with several of these girls' songs but this one is really close to my heart. I've seen how many times I seem to sin and stumble in the course of a week. My flesh is weak, and I get so discouraged. I just look to God and wonder why He still loves me. Why does he still want to be near me? I wonder the same of my husband. I cause him pain with my words, and actions, and yet he stands by me. God has revealed many of His truths through my husband. When I start to believe that I am worthless in God's work and hopeless, I sing this song in my head or aloud.
"Why, why are You still here with me /Didn't You see what I've done? /In my shame I want to run and hide myself /But it's here I see the truth /I don't deserve You
[Chorus:]But I need You to love me, and I /I won't keep my heart from You this time/ And I'll stop this pretending/ that I can Somehow deserve what I already have."---Barlowgirl
http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/barlowgirl/love-me.html

5) Alabaster Box-CeCe Winans
I am a sinner, and I am not deserving of Jesus' cleansing blood, but that is the point. I am not deserving, I did not have to earn it, He died for me anyway. I am a sinner and I have come humbly before God, and only He knows what happened in my heart the day He entered in. Only He has seen the change in me as I have fallen at His feet, in times of sorrow and asked for forgiveness.
"You weren't there-/the night He found me/You did not feel what I felt /When He wrapped His loving arms around me/And you don't know the cost/Of the oil in my alabaster box."---CeCe Winans
http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/cece-winans/alabaster-box.html

6) Surrender-Joy Williams
Many times I take my life back from God, and think I know better. My plans are better and the things I have in this world are more pleasing to me. However, I have sung along to this song of surrender many times, with tears in my heart. It is such a refreshing feeling to sing this to Him and pour myself into the words. Surrender.
"Everything I held so precious/Everything I kept away/I give it up, give it up/All for You, /I give it all for You/Everything I held as treasure/I give it all for You, /I give it all for You."---Joy Williams
http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/joy-williams/surrender.html

7) Thinking Over-Dana Glover
I am not quite sure what she meant the song to mean, but I have applied what I interpret it to mean, in my own life. When things were falling apart between me and my first boyfriend, I started to question God. I put my foot down and said, "No, we're going to be together forever!" When I played this song and it got to the part where she sings, "Father, which way should I go?/I cannot clearly see/ Oh, I love him so/ But only you know if he's the one for me." It was so hard to sing along with the last line, but it was true. Only God knew if it would be for forever and I had to accept this. Had I accepted it sooner, I would have saved myself a lot of heartache. Following God and trusting Him, is often a true leap of faith.
"Am I ready for forever?/ Oh God show me a sign/ Cause if we're to be together/ Then it's got to be divine."---Dana Glover

There are many other songs that have found a home in my collection. Maybe one of these has been added to your playlist. I would be glad to hear about songs that have really stood out in your life as well. So, feel welcome to share your revelations as well and may God bless you.