Jonathan Bailey
CBF Field Personnel, Bali, Indonesia
Two, three, four…
I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long
How long to sing this song?
—Psalm 40 modified by Bono, titled “40” the last track on U2’s 1983 album War
Music and meditation are saving my life right now. It could be listening to music or playing music; either one will do really. And it is meditation—a daily sit on the cushion, making space in my heart and mind—that’s been keeping me together lately. My life has been ruffled quite a bit the past few years and the Spirit seems intent on teaching me about change. Music and meditation are a way for me to see and cope with impermanence.
Making music has always been a part of my life—whether it was singing to Dad’s harmonica as a kid, children’s choir, youth choir, then adult choir at church, studying cello and a bit of banjo, drumming as a young missionary in West Africa, leading music in an African church during seminary days and falling in love with the music of the Balinese gamelan. There is hardly a time when making music has not been a part of my life.
I know there’s no record of Jesus singing in the Gospels, but I’ve always imagined he did.
Listening to music a part of my routine, too. It can be a mirror of the present moment. I’m told that more regions of the brain become active when listening to or playing music than any other activity in which we can engage. Listening to music particularly connects me to things in my past, evokes emotions and can set a mood. I love the ethereal chants of Hildegard von Bingin in my early morning contemplation; storytellers like Jim White in the late afternoon; Coltrane for the evening; and the haunting harmonies of Arvo Pärt late at night.
Music (and other arts, too) do more to open me to the mystery of God than anything else I know; and, strange as it may sound, touching mystery is the best antidote for the challenges of change. Music becomes prayer when it gives voice to the cries of the soul.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
What music is resonating with your soul these days? Maybe the lines of an old hymn are on repeat in your mind, or maybe there is a popular song that keeps coming on the radio at just the right moment. It could be a Celtic chant, an 80s ballad or an African-American spiritual. Whatever it is, take some time today to immerse yourself in music as a spiritual practice that opens you up to the mystery of God.
Pray...Give...Go.