“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” –Ephesians 5:19
A recent viral video shows a toddler fussing in her car seat when suddenly her favorite song comes on the radio. Immediately transformed, she begins smiling and moving to the beat of the music. Her parents had discovered an amazing tool for soothing her!
Can you relate? When you are going through a difficult time, is there a piece of music that helps? Maybe you have a playlist that specifically speaks to you in those times that are painful or stressful.
Music has the ability to bring calm to many situations. In the Bible, King Saul would ask David to come play the harp for him when he was heavy from the weight of kingly responsibilities. There was something about the music that brought relief and maybe helped provide space to find perspective.
Paul, when writing to the church in Ephesus, covered many areas of life. In chapters four and five, he presented a long list of instructions on how to live in a godly way. In the middle of his list, he suggests that we should use psalms and hymns when we talk with each other. He understood that words of scripture can offer hope in the darkest times. He knew the power of lyrics and melody to bring encouragement or help give focus.
Here at Loma Linda University Health, we have chosen to illustrate our mission through a simple melody with words that speak to the heart. The song is called “Healing Love,” by Wintley Phipps and John Stoddart.
As we continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ, let us remember the song’s lyrics:
We live each day to reach a world that’s hurting,
To help some wandering soul to find their way.
We bring them peace with words of blessed assurance,
And with God’s love, we wipe the tears away.
We are His hands to touch a world that’s broken.
We are His voice to cheer the wounded soul.
Shining the light of love that lives in Jesus,
We are His comfort, His healing love.
We’re going to a place where pain and sadness
Will never plunge a soul into despair.
We give our service knowing Christ has promised
We live forever always in His Care.
We are His hands to touch a world that’s broken.
We are His voice to cheer the wounded soul.
Shining the light of love that lives in Jesus,
We are His comfort, His healing love.
Shining the light that lives in Jesus,
We are His comfort, His healing love.
We are His comfort, to make man whole.
Sincerely,
Kathy McMillan, MA
Director, employee spiritual care
Loma Linda University Medical Center