One of the most powerful things about music is that it is the soundtrack of our lives. Fellow music fanatic Sharon Hepworth started a music challenge on Twitter for the month of July. Each day, fans around the world will select a song from their life and describe what it means to us. These are my songs. #SoundtrackToYourLife
Day 23
One weekend during my early 30’s, I remember getting away for a weekend in D.C. I wasn’t necessarily looking to escape. I think I was searching for something. Looking back, I remember I was looking for some kind of sign from God following a failed relationship. I needed to be reminded once again that the creator of the universe didn’t fall by the way side, or suddenly become an entity too busy to deal with the little details of our lives. Music helped me through this voyage – specifically a lesser known album called The Eleventh Hour by Jars of Clay. It was just one weekend, but the album – and the song “Silence”, in particular – is a significant part of my life’s soundtrack.
“Silence” is that rare song that’s about both faith and doubt. It’s a song that has more questions than answers. And the key question is: “Where are you?” It’s a line that’s sung over and over and over again. Looking back now at how gripping this song was to me, I realize that the question isn’t posed simply to receive a response. It’s a lament. The question is almost rhetorical in nature. It seems a bit brash to be saying that to the God of the universe. But the vocals, the instruments and a constant record-spinning static effect all seem to be calling out to God in this way, because He is God, and He can take it. I never experienced a song – or really anything – quite like it before.
“I got a question. ‘Where are you?’?