Healing Through Music

Earlier this week, we concentrated on the significance of singing during the Christmas season and the powerful messages in song that we can experience.  Singing praise to God enables us to gain a greater sense of His presence and the lyrics of various songs can be a vehicle to communicate messages.  We
read in Colossians chapter 3:
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

See the correlation here between the Word and worship?  How about John chapter 4, when Jesus said true worshippers would worship in spirit and truth.  The music we listen to can powerfully impact us in our minds and even our emotions.  Sometimes a song can touch us in a way that a sermon, book, or article will not.  I believe this is by God's design - He has created music in order to penetrate our hearts and help us to remember His truth.  The devil perverts that by using songs to weigh down the human spirit and try to relate his messages.  God can and will use music for His intent.

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I believe that God has given music as a gift, which can inspire, communicate, and even play a part in the healing of our hearts and even our bodies.  We can read in Psalm 105 about the power of music:

2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!

3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

4 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

A Nashville musician and non-profit founder believes in the power of music - so much so, that his organization, Instrumental Horizons, provides musical instruments and music therapy to children who are hospitalized or are in "underserved" communities, according to a ReligionNews.com piece on this 2017 college graduate who resides in Nashville.

His name is Luke Putney, and shortly following his graduation from Nashville's Belmont University, doctors detected a cancerous brain tumor requiring surgery.  This was not his first brain surgery - around ten years ago, he had a cancerous tumor removed, but was rendered blind by the cancer.

But, this did not stall his pursuit of his dreams, including wrestling - and music.

Music continues to be a significant part of Luke's life.  The article says that, as a result of this latest diagnosis:

Putney would eventually have nine surgeries and spend 100 days in the hospital. His love of music and his faith — and the support of his mom — sustained him. Though he lost the ability to play guitar and bass, Putney could still sing.

Luke says, regarding a verse in the Bible, Philippians 4:13: "I like the part that says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’” he said. “But I really like the part which precedes that, which is to be content no matter what my circumstances. That speaks to me.”  He added:

“When I was in the hospital for over a hundred days, I was questioning: 'God, why is this happening to me? Why do I keep having to go back for more surgery?' I was in so much pain,” he said. “Then I remembered Paul in the prison and thought, 'Oh yeah, oh yeah, I’ve got to be content, no matter my circumstances.' And I thought about his words and they brought joy to me.”

He was released from the hospital, and he continued to be motivated to help his charity.  The article says:

He decided to walk a marathon to raise funds for Instrumental Horizons. Since he could only walk a little bit at a time, he broke it into small pieces – one mile a day for about a month, with a few days off for hospital visits.

Putney asked everyone he met to chip in a dollar for every mile he finished. By the time he finished the last mile, he’d collected more than $17,000 — all of which he said will go to fund a music therapy program in Cape Town, South Africa.

 And, Luke is continuing to pursue music.  ReligionNews.com reports:

While he still can’t play bass or guitar, Putney is slowly getting back into music. He’s been playing piano with one hand and returned to the recording studio this fall to finish an original song called “Cape Town (I Miss Africa).”

The piece also relates:

Putney, who described himself as a “hopeful, comedy-centric, Christ-following jumble of musical knowledge and smiles,” hopes to someday get back to playing music on his own.

Till then, he’ll stay focused on helping others through his charity, highlighting the healing power of music.

Putney said he’s felt that power in the past. He said the gift of a bass guitar right after his first brain surgery at age 12 changed his life. At the time, Putney said, he felt powerless and broken. But with that bass guitar in his hands, he felt ready to take on the world.

This story can help us consider a number of principles regarding the power of music:

For one thing, we can take steps to surround ourselves with content that can build us up.  That can include songs that exalt Christ and present messages that are consistent with Scripture.  We can establish, as I call it, an "atmosphere of worship."  Faith Radio can help you to do that, as we present in excess of 15 hours per day of songs that lift up that Lord and that can refresh and renew us.

Also, we can recognize how music play a part in changing us inwardly and even outwardly.  Listening to music, singing, and even playing instruments can alter our attitudes and provide encouragement.  Music can change the mood of a person or a group of people. Luke Putney is involved in music therapy and helps children by providing them with instruments to play.  We know that in a worship-filled venue, such as a church worship center or sanctuary, the songs that are sung and played have a power that is, in a sense, all their own, infused by the Spirit of God.  What a gift the Lord has given to us!