I have never considered the possibility of angels, but I don't find it too farfetched. This is to say, that I don't find the idea of them far off. When we consider them, at least in Christian theological canon, we have the idea of these ethereal creatures that stand ready to obey God. To do battle with all manner of demons and spirits. Invisible, imperceptible, all but impossible. We can't see them, but we want to. We can't create, but we can dream. So we do. We write them in books, paint them on canvas, shoot them on film, and sing about them in our songs. We express our desire to touch the intangible through our art. I believe that art, music, dance, theatre, film… expression… has a capacity to articulate ideas and thoughts beyond our human range of communication.
It was a rough summer. A lot of relationships changed; a lot of them ended. Not for nothing, I wrote a lot more, and heard a lot more music.
Recently, I began a new year at Hampton University. My last year as an undergraduate student. In some ways the first time I feel like I've understood anything even remotely beyond my own meager existence. Ironically, the understanding has come with more questions than answers. I have wondered about everything from friends and family to relationships, women, and especially Christianity. It has been a trying time, these past four years, for me at least. But despite my own tendency to forget the good and dwell on the negative, I have to say that above all things, I have been taken care of. When I would remember the bad times, I couldn't help but think of the good.
I reached a point where I understood that there is something in us so inherently divine, that when we can tap into that strength, that faith, we can move the mountains in our lives.
Not that I am a particularly brilliant man, though I do like to think that way on occasion, but I think that when we open our eyes and try to see beyond our current situations and circumstances, we allow God the room to inspire us, to heal us, and to strengthen us. For me, that came through my own personal angels, and music. I can't fully explain it, because I believe that part of your spiritual experience can only be conceptualized within yourself. But, I believe that I have come to a cathartic moment. I am hearing with new ears, and I believe that my understanding of how God can connect with us has widened.
This will shock some of those who know me, but it's true. I don't profess to know it all, or even that my own ideas are correct. They just work for me, for now. In a sense, this post is more for me than anyone else. I just wanted to express my appreciation for the angels and the music that God has provided me. They've made my world a more beautiful, lyrical, place.
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"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" Psalm 91:11 The word says in all ways, meaning both physically and spiritually. I am happy that you had an angel with you this summer. I know it was a difficult time for you. I am happy that you have made it through the trial and our continuing to grow from it. My prayers are with you always and I know that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
The past year and a half has been extremely difficult for me. It's been one tragedy after another. At first I wallowed in grief for a long time and always reverted back to "why me." At one point, I not only lost faith but I started to believe that God was no longer listening to my prayers.
"I think that when we open our eyes and try to see beyond our current situations and circumstances, we allow God the room to inspire us, to heal us, and to strengthen us."
That hit home like you wouldn't believe... and this is why you rock my world. :-)
i think it's so awesome that God reached out and touched you through music. i never, ever thought of songs this way til i met you, hah but for pretty much all of high school, music was the way i would deal with certain situations. it provided a way for me to feel like at least ONE person knew what i was going through and i felt less alone. moving around all the time, i lost a fair amount of friends and was constantly missing people, and in some circumstances all i had were songs as memories or ways to get through tight spots.
looking back, i'd like to believe that He did for me what He's done for you. even though i'm not where i want to be or where i should be concerning my relationship with God, He's still been there through all the crap i used to do, and i'm really working on living for Him. hah alrighty i'm done. this was inspirational though, Leon. thank you =).
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