A Little Inspiration

     Not too long ago, I asked my boyfriend what seemed to me like a simple question: "Do you believe in God?" I remember expecting a simple yes or no, but what I got was something much more meaningful. The conversation went something like this...

Him: Yes.
Me: Why? (Being the curious person I am, of course I would ask this question!)
Him: Because I hear God when I hear music.

I can't say that his response surprised me at all, but it definitely struck a chord with me (pun intended!). Since then I have been mulling over our conversation in my head, mainly thinking about my own connection with the music I play and listen to. In this whole thinking process I've realized that I agree with him. Although there aren't many pieces of music that really strike me hard enough to make me extremely emotional, there are absolutely a few that just make me want to laugh and cry at the same time because I am so overcome with emotion. As I was recently listening to one of those few pieces, I realized that I could hear the voice of God in the music. I did not know this because I felt he was telling me something in particular, but rather because it was so beautiful and made me feel so many things I could not put into words. I feel like this kind of beauty can only be captured by those chosen by God to do so.
     Now, you have to remember, I am not trying to preach the word of God to anyone. In fact, I do not attend church and am not really a religious person myself. However, this does not mean that I do not believe in God. As I found myself lost in the music it came to me that the people who can play music have of course been given a gift from God, but those that compose it have been given a challenge. They have been given the hard task of putting their ideas into some of the most beautiful compositions the world has ever know, but they were chosen because they could handle it and they were not at all afraid of their gift. Think of Bach, for example. Not only did he put out an incredible number of works, but each seemed to be absolutely flawless. To this day his music is considered an essential part of any musician's repertoire. And you know what? He worked composing for the church. Out of all the composers, I have a special connection to Bach's music because I feel like everything he wrote was for a purpose and that all you need to know is right in front of you. It is, in my eyes, his translation from God.
     Even if you are not religious, consider this the next time you hear music. I know I was inspired, and you might be surprised at what you find inside yourself.