Sounds are everywhere.
They are uncontained, unleashed and barbaric in our world. A man drops his change and quarters spin everywhere creating a soft ping sound to be ensued with the dancing of the metal against pavement, swirling around and around. A young boy playing on his hand held device saves his progress and produces a piercing da duh ding sound (He was playing Zelda by the way…). While attempting to fall asleep, the screams of sirens fill the room preventing any slumber.
What happens when sound gets coached, though? A coach that can recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each sound and put them in the best position to succeed. Instead of heading in separate directions and every sound being a ball hog, the sounds now work together toward the same goal, relying on each other to win. Each individual sound compliments the others and builds one another up. Soon, the sounds become united and intertwined and are no longer “sound” but now music.
Music is a team sport! A very powerful one at that. God used music created by his faithful Israelite people, led by Joshua, to bring down the walls of mighty Jericho allowing repentant Rahab and her family to exit unharmed. He also spoke through David in the book of Psalms which many current day worship songs are based off of. God gave us music and song as a gift. What happened though? Was the lyrical content in Biggie’s music a gift from God? Nope. But the art of his music was, though.
There are two parts to music…Content and Art. Most of today’s culture sacrifices content in a second in order for the pleasure derived by the art of the song. You may pass by someone on the street saying to his friend, “Dude, what does that even mean?” (They’re probably listening to Rick Ross). The friend, head bouncing up and down, makes known that “I don’t care, it sounds sweet!” Liking music ONLY because of the art is comparable to liking a food ONLY for how it tastes. On the other side of the coin though, content makes music have a purpose. Listening to a song that doesn’t have a purpose (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S22FHg2WS-w) may sound good and get your adrenaline pumping, but you’re giving so much up by doing so. The songs potential is not being fulfilled. That isn’t using music for God’s glory, and it is not how he intended it.
From personal experience, there is nothing better than beautiful art with a more beautiful lyrical content describing the truth of Jesus Christ. I know every time I listen to Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee or Flame (to name a few). I will be greatly encouraged by the lyrical content and the great art these guys create with God’s strength. Each message is like a sermon pointing directly to the truth laid out in the Bible with a sick beat! What is better than that if you’re into hip-hop and have accepted Jesus as your savior?? I understand not appreciating it if rap isn’t your thing but I still know many people who never liked rap before until they listened to these guys. My 60 year old mother being one of them.
I’ve heard many of my friends and peers refer to new music as “ear candy”. I’ll admit it, sometimes when word of a new album or single, my ears will “water” just as taste buds do when you walk down the candy aisle in the local grocery store. Something is different with Christ edifying music, though. Ears are not the only thing being stimulated…the mind, body and most importantly, soul are also being nurtured. Candy isn’t very sustaining, however…Maybe a better name for this truth music could be “Ear Lasagna” or something….I don’t know.