©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
Has the music died in our lives? Or is it that we’re listening to the wrong soundtrack or station?
Remember the song “American Pie?” Perhaps right now some of the lyrics are starting to swirl in your brain.
On January 15, 1972 “American Pie” hit #1 on the U.S. charts where it stayed for four weeks. Although it’s been 50 years since that folk rock classic soared to stardom, the catchy lyrics by singer and songwriter Don McLean still hold a place in people’s minds.
I won’t speculate on his intended meaning behind the song’s verbiage. Like art, songs stir up memories and allow each of us to feel and contemplate based on our own perspective.
As the lyrics of “American Pie” run through my mind near this anniversary of it hitting the top of the charts, I contemplate the true source of joy – of music – in our hearts.
And, why the music still plays.
God – whose rhythm affects our lives heartbeat after heartbeat.
Is being connected to God…making us smile?
When we tune our hearts and minds toward him and the Truth, and express praise and thankfulness, we experience the inner music of joy and delight.
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music. Psalm 57:7 NIV
How do we embrace the happy in our heart and encourage others to join in?
We remain confident in the Creator of life and embrace the joy of the soul He offers to us.
It all comes down to Who we trust and what touches us inside. Who stirs our heart and gives us strength.
Let’s look at some Biblical references that point us to why the music in our heart hasn’t gone bye-bye, but is still present for all who sing God’s praise and stay in harmony with Him.
God Keeps Us Close in Danger and Difficulty
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Psalm 27:5-6 NIV (Bold added)
Does this mean we won’t have trouble and difficulties? Of course not! But God does not leave us in times of difficulty. We can call on Him and trust Him to hear us and be near us.
God is the Creator
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song…
In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:1-2,4-5 NIV (Bold added)
God is Loving and Faithful
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 108:3-4 NIV (Bold added)
God Supplies our Needs
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. Psalm 147:7-9 NIV (Bold added)
God Heals our Hurts
Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
… He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:1,3 NIV (Bold added)
But what about when bad news hits our homes? Or invades our lives through screens?
Can we still sing and praise Him? Will we?
How about when life seems almost too overwhelming or discouraging…to take another step?
The music is still playing…listen for it. Tune in.
Do we believe in…
The source of love?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
The Bible?
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NIV
Do we have faith in God?
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:18-22 NIV
Right now, are the Father, Son and Holy Ghost driving the train in your life or are they so far down the track that it’s hard to hear the musical rhythm of the wheels turning?
Let’s make our hearts a welcome station.
We hear the music as we sound praise to God in our hearts, sing songs of joy in our souls, and proclaim His Word with our mouths and our actions.
- Where and when did you first hear “American Pie?” When did you trust Jesus and commit to walk with the Lord? (If you haven’t done this or aren’t sure, I’m happy to engage in a conversation with you about the value of it.)
- What were you doing in ’72?
- Which stanza stands out to you most in “American Pie?” (Read back over the lyrics). What correlations do you see with today?
- In this writing, which Bible verse resonates most with you? Gives you the most hope?
- What are three things about which you can shout with joy and sing with delight to God right now?
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn- shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. Psalm 98:4-9 NIV
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™