I was listening to some music on Youtube this evening. I discovered something in me as I perused some old Gaither/Signature Sound favourites. My stomach no longer turns when I listen to those songs. I seem to no longer be turned off of the song because of the lyrics. I found a way to enjoy the music in spite of the lyrics.
I lost interest in Southern Gospel for a while because of the focus on the message of the afterlife in most of the songs. But when I found myself turned off by the lyrics, I found myself missing the music. The tunes are toe tapping and overflowing with joy. I was missing that.
It's not just the music, but the joy in the camaraderie with the vocalists. I really enjoy the energy that Ernie Haase ads to whatever song he sings. He pours himself into his music and he is like Bill Gaither; he brings others into that joy. It is contagious.
I find that the more I distance myself from the need to believe, I find that I can embrace the joy and spirit that still attracts me to the music. I understand that the musicians and vocalists still need to embrace the words, and that is okay. That is their journey. I'm just excited that I don't have to let go of the whole song, just because the words don't make sense to me anymore.
