You can do some research on music therapy online and I will touch on some of that, but for the moment picture these elderly people, who may or may not receive visits from family or friends on a regular basis, who are more than likely hurting from a body that is decaying and a spirit of loneliness, seemingly just waiting for their lives to end. There is an empty, dull, look in their eyes and a look of disinterest on their faces that just wrenches your heart. We began to play a song and all that began to change. Smiles began to appear on the faces and a sparkle in the eyes would accompany the shuffling of feet as they began to travel back in their minds to a better day, when they used to laugh, dance and play.
It was nothing short of a miracle as far as I’m concerned to witness this transformation and I have no doubt that God was using us as instruments to help, even for a short period of time, to repair their broken spirit and to bring joy to their hearts. This miracle did not go unnoticed by the care givers as we would hear numerous comments on the positive effects of our performance and how much the residents looked forward to hearing us play music for them again. It has been quite some time since I’ve been involved with playing music in the nursing homes and something that I think I need to make plans to do again really soon.
Please take a look at the short video for evidence of the healing power of music.
There is a ton of information that you can find on the internet about this topic and there is a Music Therapy Center right here in Houston, Texas, http://www.musictherapycenter.org/, whose mission statement includes the following:
MUSIC THERAPY DEFINITION
The American Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as “an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music Therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses.”
The Bible records extraordinary examples of musical therapy. I Samuel 16, King Saul is troubled and more than likely in the process of having a nervous breakdown as the result of turning back from obeying the commandments of God I Samuel 15:11. God removed His Spirit from Saul and allowed an evil spirit to enter him causing more distress. In the meantime the most unlikely of candidates receives the Spirit of God and is led to the King to not only play music to sooth him during his demonic possession, but to learn from observing and serving King Saul , how not to be a King. This unlikely candidate of course was David who later would become the King of Israel.
Hopefully this article will give you pause for thought and consider that media is a much more powerful force than you may have realized. You also have power. Exercise that power to choose what enters your eyes and ears. Allow yourself the opportunity to benefit from listening to, or watching media that is of moral value and avoid the Satan influenced media that saturates today’s airwaves and allows the gateway to be opened for the wrong spirits to enter your space.
I want to leave you with some interesting quotes that I believe to be relevant not only to this article, but to the world we live in today.
“Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.” E. Y. Harburg / American Lyricist
“If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, or if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer.” – Confucius
“Music can be soothing or invigorating ennobling or vulgarizing, philosophical or orgiastic. It has powers of evil as well as for good.” ~ Dr. Howard Hanson, Directory of the Eastman School of Music at University of Rochester
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment