When I first started discerning the call to the priesthood I was deeply afraid that the only music I would be able to listen to wouldn't be any good. It may seem shallow, but that's where I was at during my early years of discernment. My mind was blown when I started searching for different Christian music, but more specifically under the genres of Christian Hip-Hop and Christian Rock. (FYI: There is a list of about 30 or 40 songs at the end of this blog). I don't listen to Christian Rock as much as I did in my early discernment, but I still listen to Christian hip-hop especially when I work out. (For those of you who do not know, I used to DJ for weddings, dances, and sporting events. The effect that music has on the human person can be positive, but it can also be detrimental.)
Some, well actually very little of the Christian music on the radio did I enjoy. Often the music would seem too sentimental and overly emotional for what I was going through or struggling to accept. This is not to say that emotions are bad, but rarely could I connect with the Christian songs that were on the radio. The top 100 songs on mainstream radio stations had really good beats, hooks, but the lyrics are so far away from the person that Christ was calling me become. Thank God for artists like Lecrae and Andy Mineo who are changing the music culture with placing Christ at the heart and center of their music.
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| Andy Mineo |
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| Lecrae |
When it comes to music that you might want to listen to and workout to it seems that the selection might get even smaller. That is where I hope this short blog post may help. For those of you who do not know, I really enjoy hip-hop music and now I only listen Christian artists in the genre of hip-hop. I do not demonize other artists, rather I choose to promote hip-hop artists that do not allow me to stray from the path the Lord is calling me to follow. The Lord has provided different artists as I journey closer and closer to priesthood that allow me to remain aware of God's presence more than other songs. The Lord will provide for the desires of your heart so you can do all things (c.f. 2 Cor 9:8) to the best of your ability to conform and/or graft yourself onto (the person of) Christ. And Yes, it is ok to have fun while discerning God's will in your life.
And no I do not think all music that is not Christian is bad, but I do think that we have a choice to support up and coming artists that are willing to promote the Gospel message and that are sacrificing to speak out about difficult issues without profanity. It takes tremendous courage to promote the Truth of Jesus' message in music knowing that you may be persecuted and might not make it big. However, there's beauty in not selling your soul and gaining the whole world (c.f Mark 8:36).
As much of a good thing it is that the radio is able to play all different types of music, I find that radio stations pass too quickly on music that can actually match with a persons morals. To add to that, when it comes to working out, it can be even more difficult in finding music that doesn't make you second guess your decision to choose Christ in all things. It is important to remember that our bodies area temples of the Holy Spirit (c.f. 1 Cor 6:19). Can I say that again? It is important to remember that our bodies area temples of the Holy Spirit (c.f. 1 Cor 6:19). Did you know that your body is holy? Every body on earth is holy and that is why we must be on guard as to what we allow into our bodies, especially when it comes to music. This means that what we allow into our body, mind, and soul effects our personal holiness and more importantly, effects Jesus because he is present in us. It is our choice to acknowledge his presence in all of our activities and invite him into whatever we are doing, even if it is working out.
So what do you do if you want to exercise and are trying to find some good Christian music? Well read this blog of course. I am not trying to discourage you from listening to some of your favorites, but I am hoping that everyone begins to think more heavenly and less earthly when picking out music (Cor 3:1-4). This does not mean that every song has to be about Jesus in order to be good or worthy. Some of the songs talk about the tug of war that goes on in life and the struggle of living an authentic life in and for Jesus Christ. It seems that in order to live an ordered life there ought to be a moral compass in your music and that the lyrics begin to match our morals. I have compiled a list of different songs for exercising by different Christian artists that allow you to stay motivated, but also allow you to remain longer of the presence of God. You won't feel guilty for listening to these songs. You can listen and choose what you like and what you may not like. I've been on this journey of searching for good Christian music for working out for about seven years and most of the artists that I'll be promoting are not on the radio so if you see a name and have never heard of then I say, "Welcome to the Journey!"
Lastly, this list is pretty subjective. I basically picked the songs based off of if my head would bob to the beat and if it increased the desire in my heart to get off the couch and go workout, but also remain in a prayerful disposition longer. If you do not like a song, that is fine. If you do like a song I recommend adding it to your playlist in the future when you workout.
This is list might be fairly long.
Click the link and take a listen.
Try Working Out to some of the songs.
Happy Scrolling!
Move - Da Truth feat. Jai
Slave to you - PRo
Freedom - Josh Garrels
Fall Back - Lecrae
Cocky - Andy Mineo
There's more, but that took longer than I'd like.
I'd encourage you to: invite the Lord into an area of your life where your afraid he won't provide.
There's mystery from bringing the light into the darkness.
There's mystery in watching the Lord disprove that fear and not being afraid when He is near.
Living in the Mystery,
Zach Weber
