Gospel Music

It took longer to get to to Harris Hospital for the MRI than it took to accomplish our purpose. First daughter went with me since I was taking an “I don’t care” pill to alleviate my claustrophobia. Since we were going by a Hobby Lobby and had some Christmas money, we stopped for some fabric. Yes, we have some, but lots of plans for quilts this coming year.

When I was down on the moving bed, the technician asked if I’d like music – yes, that always helps. What’s your preference? Could we get gospel? Yes. We have Pandora. The first sound was an advertisement for a Bible College. Then the song began, just a bit before my head entered the machine that would try its best to shake my brain as it was being photographed.

“Don’t Do It Without Me” wasn’t the music I was expecting, the music I was used to. It reminded me of a service in a co-worker’s church in Oklahoma City, filled with spirit, directing petitioning our Lord. I liked it.

I was expecting the familiar, perhaps my favorite Rochester Family music, Highway to Heaven from their Following The Leader album.

Or a southern hymn from a century before – Fanny Crosby’s Blessed Assurance gives me comfort, too.

It’s past Christmas, or I would have asked for Mary Did You Know from Mark Lowry, or David Phelps’ The End of the Beginning, covering more than the holiday.

Some music covers multiple portions of the glad tidings of great joy that the angels shared that special night shepherds watched their flocks by night. It helps as we fulfill the Psalmists plea:

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. (Psalms 95:1 KJV)

Why do we do this, over and over again, day after day, week after week, often the same – ever so favorite – songs?

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. (Psalms 95:3 KJV)

These songs are uplifting, they open our heart and minds to listen to the Lord. They help us follow this suggestion, too:

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (Psalms 95:8 KJV)

The new ones I heard today were comforts to me as the MRI made sounds that absolutely were NOT comforting, any more than the thought that “Henry” was giving notice of changes, requiring additional tests because drilling through my skull and palpitating my brain is NOT on the top of my bucket list at all.

Gospel music, however different from my southern blue grass gospel, tells me of my savior, the savior of all who reach out to Him and provides comfortable peace.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27 KJV)

That, along with some gospel music. Try it some time, even when you’re not in the pounding MRI.