Songwriters have a challenging job. Perhaps you might disagree with this statement, but before you dismiss it outright, please consider that a song is crafted to fulfill one or more of the following purposes: it pleases the ear, it induces feeling, it shares a story, it evokes memories, it aids learning, and it communicates concepts that mere words somehow fail to convey. All accomplished in three minutes or less!

Think of all that occurs in your mind during the short span of time that a song plays—are you traveling back to a previous Season of Life; are you belting out lyrics to occupy your time and share your voice; or are you experiencing something transcendent that you have difficulty explaining? As someone who typically finds herself unbothered by silence and not needing a playlist to go about her day, I experience Surprise and Delight when I find myself truly desiring to hear a specific playlist saved in my music. And one of the aspects of enjoying music I find most challenging—what name to give to that particular list of selected songs.

Selecting the option for playlists in my library of songs, you are likely to see some riveting examples of my stellar creativity, including All Time Favorites, Christmas, Country, Grab the Hairspray, Julie’s Love Songs, and Oldies. Obviously, I was not bestowed with a gift for creativity in this area of my life; however, one playlist title does appear to express something deeper than the genre of music you will find within—Lifelines. For located within this playlist are three songs that serve as a balm to my soul when experiencing the Raging Seas of this thing we call life.

Before I share some of what makes these songs specifically valuable to me, I challenge you to consider for yourself some songs that bring you specific comfort or reassurance, or perhaps fulfills one or more of the purposes mentioned above. Here are three songs pulled from my Lifelines playlist: Through It All, sung by the Booth Brothers; The Anchor Holds, sung by Ray Boltz; and Everything by Lauren Daigle. Today, I was reminded why these songs arrived on the Lifelines playlist (you can click below to hear):

Through It All: I’ve had many tears and sorrows/I’ve had questions for tomorrow/There’s been times I didn’t know right from wrong/But in every situation/God gave me blessed consultation/That my trials come to only make me strong…Through it all/Through it all/I’ve learned to trust in Jesus/I’ve learned to trust in God/Let me tell you that/Through it all/Through it all/I’ve learned to depend upon his word.

The Anchor Holds: The anchor holds/Though the ship is battered/The anchor holds/Though the sails are torn/I have fallen on my knees/As I faced the Raging Seas/The anchor holds/In spite of the storm.

Everything: Even the sparrow has a place to lay it’s head/So why would I let worries steal my breath?/Even the roses, You have glowed them brilliant red/Still I’m the one You love more than this/You give me everything/You give me everything/You give me everything I need…When I can’t see, You lead me/When I can’t hear, You show me/When I can’t stand, You carry me/When I’m lost, You will find me/When I’m weak, You are mighty/You are everything I need.

I don’t know what opinion you have of the importance of Lasting Lyrics, but personally, I am thankful for talented songwriters and performing artists who are gifted with the ability to express the un-expressible and to share the un-shareable. In addition to powerful Scripture passages like James 1:1-12, I find it comforting and reassuring to hear both lament and praise offered through the exquisite and talented voices of others using their God-Given Space to heal the hurting hearts around them, often unaware of the magnitude of their gift!

Do you have a go-to playlist, like Lifelines, that seems to speak deep into your heart? Would you consider sharing the names of those songs with us in the comments below? Someone might just need to hear that song or lyrics today.

References:

Chewning, L. (1994). The Anchor Holds. [Song]. On Allegiance by Ray Boltz. Retrieved from https://lawrencechewning.com/the-anchor-holds

Crouch, A. (1971). Through it all. [Song]. On Gaither 2006: A Canadian homecoming. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRRlN_YQRio

Daigle, L. (2018). Everything. [Song]. On Look Up Child. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URFOBc69xig