“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” Psalm 95:1

It’s been a long year. Right before this pandemic started, I moved to a new city in a new state. Cue: lockdown. It’s not the best way to make new friends or find new hobbies so it has been a lonely time for me and I’m sure, many others.

As we have all learned, phone calls and Zoom meetings are not the same as being with others, as worshiping together. I’ve been watching my son’s church in L.A. every week so I’m not completely out of church practice. http://ERC.LA However, during this time, I want to sing my praises to just that, PRAISES!

Music has the power to transform us and our moods to a different place. It’s so powerful because no matter what mood you need to be in, some musician has provided for you. For example, I’m a big fan of the 1940’s (minus the war, of course.) I think about how while the world waged war, Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers danced and sang about mundane, ridiculous scenarios to get us through. (The plot of “Swing Time” is about a groom calling off his wedding and leaving because the cuff on his pants is all wrong.) Yet, they brought the world through some dark times by reminding us of the light.

If you think all is lost, “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller will remind you there is something to be happy about. And what about worship music? When we sing praises to our Lord, we are in communion with Him and reminded that He is in control. He knew this pandemic would happen and like Christians in bad times before us, we’re called to remember He has us in His hands.

Music has already done that for us. Some musician has been in the worst peril of their lives and created in the darkness. The composer of “It is Well with My Soul” being one of the most obvious. I’m sure many of you know that Horatio Spafford lost his son and wealth in the Great Chicago Fire, then planned to return to England with his family. He sent them ahead so that he could clean up loose business ends in Chicago. Later, he learned that their ship has been lost at sea. The man lost everything and yet he found comfort in God’s sovereignty and he left us a worshipful hymn that reminds us our problems are small compared to his. And that worship in our darkest times is the proper response.

So I encourage you that if you’re tired of being in the house, tired of not worshipping with your church family, get out for a walk and listen to some praise music. It will restore you.

This is my daughter and I with my favorite worship musician, David Crowder. Truly, there is power and connection in song.