On Sunday in worship, I’ll be discussing the power of music and how it can help connect us to the Divine. To help us go deeper in discipleship this Lent, with the help of a couple contributors, I have created a Spotify playlist that will serve as a soundtrack for our journey together towards Easter. Included are songs for the liturgical days (Ash Wednesday, etc.), as well as songs that reflect the big questions of faith we’ll be covering each week in worship (Why Temptation? etc.).
Click here to access the playlist.
If you aren’t familiar with Spotify, you can download it to your device, listen to the radio or entire albums, and even create and share playlists (depending on whether you choose the free or subscription version).
Since Ash Wednesday is tomorrow, here’s a blurb for each of the songs (the first three in the playlist) chosen to help us connect with the Divine on this sacred day. Hopefully you’ll find some time tomorrow and throughout the week to listen to them. I find the first two to be especially worshipful.
“Dust We Are and Shall Return” by The Brilliance. This quiet, meditative song quotes Genesis 3:19, while giving us words to pray – Be still my soul. Lord, make me whole.
“Vapor” by Gungor. The opening lines of this song bring attention to the “vapor of it all … the powers of the earth so pale and thin.” We’re reminded of our own mortality and James’s words: “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14b). However, this news should not bring despair. Instead, we find hope and joy in the fact that we are wrapped up in the beauty, mystery and holiness of the Divine, seen all around us – like in the trees that clap their hands for God, and the oceans that dance for God. For the story behind this song, check out Gungor’s blog post.
“Terminal” – Jon Foreman Foreman reminds us that we are terminal. Our bodies will deteriorate until they cease to function. Meanwhile, we bring nothing with us when we enter the world and will take nothing when we depart. And yet, “we are the living souls … flickering like candles … fatally flawed in the image of God.” So, while are are here on this earth, we have the opportunity to reflect God’s light in the world. To be living souls who cultivate life and love.
What are some other songs that reflect the Ash Wednesday themes of confession, mortality or penitence? They can be religious or secular songs.
Deeper & Wider 