I love music. I have always loved music....love to listen to it and love to sing it; whether it be to the radio, in the shower, or behind a microphone at church or karaoke. Karaoke is cool because you can sing a rock song and be popular for about five minutes....if you sing on key.
I listen to many genres of music: pop, rock, christian.....which today has every other category of music just with the word christian in front of it; but I am not sure about christian classical?....., blues, classical, R&B, country....well, I think I have one country cd in my collection and listened to it once just so I can say I listen to country...., and JAZZ...the music of cool. Jazz music is sophisticated...the kind of music you read to, write to, wear a cardigan with and smoke a pipe to....jazz expresses what cool is....you may disagree but then you would be wrong.
But one type of song (in any genre) I have always been a sucker for is a sappy love song. They conjure up the gamut of emotions that often accompany being in love with someone. If you are happy in your relationship you might listen to Jason Mraz sing "Lucky", if you are sad you may listen to Toni Braxton sing "Another Sad Love Song". Just broke up with someone? Phil Collins' "Separate Lives" or Chicago's "Look Away" will make you cry. At whatever stage you are in your relationship with your significant other you can find a love song that relates. And somehow that song in that moment has powerful meaning; almost a life of its own.
I wonder if Jesus were here today would he listen to the radio? I think he would be a music lover. If his first love, the church, is going to be his bride in heaven, would that make the church his fiance while here on earth? I don't doubt that the church has put him through the myriad of emotions that love puts us through. She has been poignant, uplifting to many, used as an instrument of hope and love, and yet; has also been divided, has erred in faithfulness, and has put undue chains on people trying to break free from chains they already carry.
So perhaps there are songs he would hear that would touch him regarding his first love. Natalie Cole's "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" or Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" would remind him of his commitment to her. Should she ever feel abandoned, Lady Antebellum's "Never Alone" would underscore his promise to be constantly present with her. When she questions her commitment to him, he might get emotional when he hears Anita Baker's "You Belong to Me" or Sade's "Nothing Can Come Between Us".
When he hears The Fray sing "She Is" he taps his thumb to the beat against the steering wheel, smiles, and thinks how he can't wait to make her his bride....
When he hears Hootie and the Blowfish sing "Let Her Cry" , he remembers when she has stumbled and fallen; yet, he still loves her. He hears Casting Crowns sing "Somewhere in the Middle" and thinks of when she is complacent. Foolish Things sing "Find Your Way Back" or Building 429 sings " The Space In Between Us"and he ponders on all the times she has strayed from him. When Big Daddy Weave sings Rich Mullins' "Hold Me Jesus"...he just wants to wrap his arms around her again and again and again.....my, my how Jesus is so in love with his bride to be!
For all her faults, imperfections, triumphs, and failures he is head over heels in love with her and perhaps music would remind him of that just as music moves most of us emotionally.
Then.... he finds a jazz station.....no words, just music.....but it touches him the most in thinking of his love. Why? you may ask.... Simply because of the way jazz is built. Jazz is but a simple melodious tune played over and over in all kinds of variations. If you stacked one variation of the original tune on top of another, the song would have no ending.....it would just keep playing. It gives him repose to think of all the things his forthcoming bride is to him....he loved her enough to die for her....she has tested him over and over and yet his love for her never stops....just like an endless jazz tune....
At the end of the day he talks with his Father....I can almost hear him quietly whisper, "Dad, I know you have the time appointed for us to wed. No pressure....but I am so in love with her....make it soon Dad, please make it soon.....I am in a hurry"....
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