rebelling against low expectations
It’s no secret that I love music. The Spotify app on my computer is almost always open. I have several albums downloaded on my phone. I memorize the lyrics for my favorite songs and sing them at the top of my lungs when no one else is around. I play both violin and guitar whenever I have time, and I’ve even tried my hand at songwriting (rather poorly). It’s no secret that our culture loves music...
Music of all kinds is without a doubt a wonderful thing. The sound of varying instruments with the melodies and harmonies of vocalists all come together to create this beautiful tapestry we call a song. It is an incredible gift of God, something we can enjoy and give thanks to Him for. But not all music out there is good. We all know there are songs we don’t listen to, songs with explicit sexual...
It was in the darkest moments that I understood the power of music. Since I grew up in a musical family, I’ve always been around music. Until a few months ago, however, I never truly valued music. Only recently I understood what a gift it is. I have seen what it can do to my mind and my heart. I have seen how God can use it. In the last year many songs have helped me speak truth into my life when...
One morning I came to school feeling as one normally does when they arrive at school – lethargic, unmotivated, with a little dose of anticipation for what the day would hold. I trudged into my first period of study. While revising for a Math test, I was serenaded by the school choir rehearsing only a few doors away for an upcoming performance. I left the room with a bounce in my step. At lunch, I...
I used to hate music. I never listened to it and didn’t like it when people played it around me. It wasn’t until I got older, I realized why. Music evokes and awakens emotions. Strong emotions. Often unpleasant emotions. What I really hated were emotions, not music. Looking back, I understand why. The little girl and young teenager was hurting. She felt she had to keep her emotions in check. She...
2021 was many different things for me. It was a year of many joys, yet confusion. Moving forward, yet reflection. Busyness, yet apathy. It was the year that transitioned me from high school to college. It was the year that I experienced some of my favorite memories, but also a year where I experienced much loneliness, chaos, and stress. I moved to the big city of Indianapolis in the summer of...
Winter is all well and good in December – we can dream of a white Christmas (or not, if you live closer to the equator). The chill in the air may be a reminder of hot chocolate at home and presents under the tree. But soon enough, December is past, and we face not only another year, but another few months of cold weather and gray skies. Many of us are also beginning another semester of school and...
I’ve never had a talent for playing instruments. My voice isn’t all that great. In fact, I’m one of the least musical people you’ll ever meet. However, I love listening to music. While I’m getting ready in the morning, doing homework, and driving in the car… I always have music playing. Even now, as I write this post, I’m sitting outside with music playing on my phone in the background. A couple...
Something I realized as I was listening to one of my playlists recently was that quite a few of the songs I’ve been enjoying share the common theme of storytelling or creativity in general. And not only that, a few of them are specifically about how it can relate to us as Christians in our relationship with God. So today, I want to share four songs I think will especially resonate with you if...
I used to be one of those people who looked down on people who started listening to Christmas music before December. They seemed crazy to me. But this year, I started listening to Christmas music long, long, before December. Whether it was the sentiment or novelty of Christmas getting to me, or an unspoken and thankless desire to rush through the last months of 2020, I think there’s something to...
rebelling against low expectations
