Music From The Heart

Music from the Heart

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1

You will never find a band or any sort of musical instrument inside an Amish church, and most likely not inside an Amish home, either. Some Amish have been known to play a harmonica or accordion, but it is not common practice. Brad Igou, author of The Amish in Their Own Words, says, “‘Instrumental music tends to draw attention to itself through its natural beauty, distracts our thoughts from the meaning of the words we sing, and entertains us rather than glorifying God,’ writes one Amish man. ‘Also, instruments of music are an expensive luxury. Much money is wasted that could be put to better use.’”

There is another reason why the Amish don’t play instruments. They believe that no one person should be set above the others. They believe that those who play instruments will be tempted toward pride.

During the years of Rumspringa, Amish youth might install stereo systems in their buggies—much to the disapproval of their parents. Teens may also have radios, stereos, cell phones, or iPods. Amish do hear popular music at stores and at other public locations, and they might enjoy (and even learn) the songs.

Amish church members are not allowed to listen to music. More than one female church member has had to go to the front of the church to confess to listening to music while cleaning house for the English.

Although we may never be so concerned about our freedom to listen to music, we do have to pay attention to the music’s message and the words. As the Amish know, music can have a powerful influence. And as the apostle Paul wrote, if we act without love, our actions can be like clanging cymbals—senseless music.

If your life were a melody, how would it sound? People are tuning in and listening. For good or bad, they will hear the music coming from your heart.

Dear heavenly Father, music stirs my emotions. Help me to choose music that steers me toward faithfulness to You in all things.