The Bondages of Christendom (Part 7…What Kind of Music Do You Listen To?)

Growing up Negro in the 50’s and 60’s (that’s what we were called back then) in a major city; I was privy to some of the greatest music of that era. Philadelphia had live music shows called “Rock-n-Roll” shows at the famed Uptown Theater. Since I was only a hop, skip and a jump from New York City, I also got to go to the Apollo Theater once. At the Uptown for $1.50, I would get to see Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, the Four Tops, Isely Brothers, Martha and the Vandellas and a few more acts, all in the same show. That was the price across the board—first come first sit—always had good seats!

Stevie will be play one night only April 15th in Brooklyn, NY. The nosebleed seats start at $165.00 and the best seats in the house are $2,333.00! No, I didn’t make a mistake or typo. Yes, he’s come a long way since “Fingertips”! ~Smile~

I would run home from school so I could watch American Bandstand on TV. It was streaming live about 20 city blocks from my house. But it didn’t stop there. I had a younger aunt who introduced me to jazz at around the age of 10…and I loved it! And especially the great jazz singers.

From 1967 – 1970 a Seventh-Day Adventist boarding school became home. We weren’t allowed to listen to rock-n-roll (the devil’s music) but we did have more mainstream music pumped into our rooms via the intercom system, and I was introduce to Glen Campbell, B. J. Thomas, the Carpenters and many more. I found that I enjoyed a lot of it. By the 70’s and 80’s I had a vast love for all kinds of music genres. But, folks used to tease me because all of a sudden I wasn’t Black enough in the music I listened too. So you see, “Blackish” isn’t new at all.

Guess who didn’t care?

That’s right—me!

By the 90’s I was into Yo-Yo Ma, and even Yanni! I began to listen to music in Spanish and Italian. I went through a phase when the saxophone was my favorite instrument, until I switched to the guitar, (especially the Spanish guitar) and then the violin and cello. I even had a few favorite country songs that made their way into my heart. No, I am not your stereotypical woman of color when it comes to many things, but especially my choice of music.

So, what was the problem?

When I came to Christ, I was made to feel that I must listen to gospel music and only gospel music. I had to give up all other music.

That lasted all of 3 to 4 months, before I began to rebel in my spirit. Truth is I really do not like most gospel music. Again, I was treated as if something was wrong with me—a black woman who doesn’t care for gospel music—an oxymoron for sure. I deeply missed much of the music I loved and was beginning to hate what I was told to listen to. I was struggling with a “bondage” setup by others.

At the time was an assistant manager for a large retail chain and often had to drive to a store 30 miles away. The gospel station I listened too on the radio didn’t broadcast well outside the city limits and I came across a contemporary Christian music station and found Sandy Patti, Larnelle Harris, Steven Green and a bunch of others! That first day, I felt like I had found a little piece of heaven. No songs with the verse sung 100 times, and the pronunciation of the words was astounding. Hallelujah!

About a year ago while reading the Palms I began to wonder what the songs King David wrote and sang sounded like to the Lord. I doubted very seriously it was anything like gospel or our hymns. So, I did a search to find a Jewish singer and bingo! I found Gad Elbaz. Here’s the link to a youtube video of him singing the 23^rd Psalm in Hebrew. Take a minute to check it out. This is probably closer to the music God heard from His people then what a lot of us are singing today. It should cause us to pause when it comes to thinking our English songs are it. God is just so vast; dare any of us think we have it like that?

I enjoy and listen to all types of music. God did not take this away from me, but man sure tried to.

Sisters, I’m not trying to tell you to keep listening to music that reminds you of the good old days, “aka” sinful times. I don’t want you listening to stuff that might make you desire things other than God, but you don’t have to throw out the baby with the bathwater either.

God is God, no matter what! We can’t impress Him by listening to a particular genre of music. He is the Creator of music. And I personally think that music is one of the most wonderful gifts God has given to man. For all the ones who write it, compose it, play it, sing it, and the vast majority of us who get to sit back and enjoy it!

Like anything, without understanding we can find ourselves in a place that lacks the freedom the death and resurrection of Christ bestows upon us.

In our quest to know God, we find out who we are in Him and that He is not a “one size fits all” kind of God. He deals with us individually. His Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. He will correct us if need be. He might direct you to listen to only certain types of music—but let Him do it—not someone else.

I find great pleasure in music and I have loved to dance since I can remember. Moving into the Kingdom of God, I did not lose any of that. Do I feed off pop music and dance from it all the time? No. I listen more to music that encourages my spirit in the Lord, but it doesn’t mean I can’t listen to Tom Jones sing “It’s Not Unusual” too.

Freedom in the Kingdom comes with having a personal relationship with Christ. And it deepens the more we study God’s Word and spend time with Him.

If you have been secretly listening to certain types of music because you are afraid of what others might think. Stop it! Only be concerned with what God thinks about what you are doing. And if it is okay with Him—listen on and enjoy!

Next Week: The Bondages of Christendom (Part 8…Are You in the Right Ministry?)

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie