He Speaks Our Language
I was probably 10 years old the first time I remember having a spiritual experience (outside of my baptism day). I was home alone for some reason. This in itself was uncommon considering I am one of 11 children and having an empty house was a rarity. I sat down at our piano and flipped through the primary music songbook. The song When He Comes Again came up. I had never noticed there was a second verse to that song. As I sang it to myself, I remember feeling overcome with a feeling I didn’t fully understand.
“Then, when that blessed day is here, He’ll love me and he’ll say, “You’ve served me well, my little child; Come unto my arms to stay”. I have never forgotten that overwhelming feeling of love that enveloped me as I tried to sing those lyrics. I knew without a doubt in my little 10-year-old mind that God loved me. He wanted me to know that. I had never had a feeling quite like that come over me. Over the years, I have learned (and am still learning) to recognize Him and hear Him.
Music has always been an important part of my life, as it is for many people. The power of music in relation to feeling the spirit is incalculable. In fact, I find it interesting that before the Savior concluded the Last Supper with his apostles and left for the Mount of Olives, a hymn was sung. I can’t think of a more fitting time to invite the spirit. This teaches me an important lesson about turning to uplifting music in times of stress or uncertainty.
In my own life, I have turned to music to feel peace in times of trial. 6 months ago, our family was dealing with challenging, unanswered questions. My teenage son was having some medical issues and doctors couldn’t seem to agree on the diagnosis. This left us with a lot of unnerving feelings and questions. Throughout all the testing, imaging, etc. I listened to music to calm my fears. When we were referred to the Oncologist’s office, my “momma heart” was trying not to go into overdrive with worry. On my run one morning, a song popped up that I hadn’t heard for a long time. The song was Slow Down, by Sissel. The lyrics were exactly what I needed to hear!
In the midst of my confusion
In the time of desperate need
When I am thinking not too clearly
A gentle voice does intercede
Slow down, slow down, be still
Be still and wait, on the Spirit of the Lord
Slow down and hear His voice
And know that He is God
In the time of tribulation
When I'm feeling so unsure
When things are pressing in about me
Comes a gentle voice so still, so pure
Slow down, slow down, be still, my child
Be still and wait, on the Spirit of the Lord
Slow down and hear His voice
And know that He is God
And know that He is God
Tears flowed freely for a few weeks as I kept this song on repeat! My Heavenly Father knows that music is a powerful tool to use to speak to me. He wanted me to know He is there and to put my faith and trust in Him during that time of uncertainty.
Though music has been a powerful source of feeling the spirit for me, I have felt God speak to me in several ways. When I study the scriptures and spend time pondering them, I often have ideas and thoughts come to mind that I hadn’t thought of before. Just this week, I was studying in Mosiah 18, reading about baptismal covenants, when I thought about the idea of bearing other’s burdens by looking at them through “covenant eyes”. How do my covenants help me bear other’s burdens and stand as a witness of Christ? I hadn’t thought about it through the lens of my covenants like that before. Do I see others through the eyes of one who has made covenants with God? And how does it help me serve them?
I love how the Savior used parables as one way of teaching and “speaking”. He was masterful at knowing how to relate to those He was trying to teach. Because He did this, it reminds me that He is desperately trying to reach me in any way He can. He will speak my language, so I might understand. Oftentimes, that is through music or in moments of quiet reflection. The real question I should be focusing on is whether or not I am listening when He is trying to communicate with me!