We never wanted to live through a pandemic, but here we are.
Maybe you’re annoyed or grieving because it feels like life has been cancelled. Maybe you’re genuinely afraid for yourself or others.
Fear. Worry. Panic. Anger.
It seems like that’s all we hear and everything that surrounds us. But right now, of all times, is when we need to be remembering truth and focusing on what is good. Maybe we need to hold onto verses like Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
When Truth Gets Through Your Headphones
I don’t know about you, but for me music is a pretty fundamental part of existence, even on ordinary days. And it’s become even more important right now.
With all my college classes moving online, I suddenly have nowhere to go all day—I barely have to leave my dorm room. And with so many plans upended, so many untimely goodbyes already said and more to come, so much fear everywhere, my heart finds itself in need of encouragement. So I find myself listening to music more than ever.
In these days we all need to lift our eyes and look on Christ, to rest in the “living hope” to which we’ve been born again (1 Peter 1:3). We need to set our minds on eternal truth, and we need to focus on what is, as the ancient philosopher would have said, good, true, and beautiful.
This doesn’t mean refusing to acknowledge the grief, the pain, and the suffering. But it does mean we refuse to admit that the darkness is inevitable. Christ has already conquered. The story doesn’t end here—and it won’t end, until everything is made right.
The music we listen to plays a huge part in what we think about and where we focus. It can help us feel and believe the truth we already know. Even music that’s not explicitly about God can reflect him just through its beauty and excellence.
With good music, truth can get through your headphones (or speakers or earbuds) to encourage, lift up, and challenge us to higher things.
Supporting Artists During Social Distancing
For most of us (although certainly not all), social distancing and quarantines are an inconvenience, a cause for grief, even; but they won’t destroy our livelihood.
That’s not the case for many artists and musicians.
Concerts (and the merch sold at them) are a major source of income for many artists. But concerts all over the world have been cancelled. The current situation will have major effects on most professions, but the arts especially are taking a hit.
If you’ve been wanting to buy music or merch from your favorite artist for a while… now is a good time. If not (or you’re not able—we’ve all been there!), then streaming their music and sharing it on social media is a way to still show them support.
Let’s support and thank the musicians and artists of the world for continuing to make beauty and release it into the ugliness and darkness that surrounds us.
A Playlist for… Quarantine?
I honestly never thought I’d be making a playlist titled “quarantine,” but here we are.
Much of it is music that’s meant to encourage or speak truth into the current situation. But there are also some old favorites and some songs that are just plain good music. It’s a playlist to shine light into dark days, and I’m sharing it here in hopes that it’ll bring some joy to you as well.
Keep listening to good music—and making it too, if that’s where you’re gifted. Let’s keep pointing ourselves and each other to Christ, now and always.
What music are you listening to right now? What songs get you through difficult times?
