I’ve seen the power of music to inspire faith and help children to grow. But God gave us this gift for more than this. When we explore the widespread use of music to help people heal, grow, and overcome, it is clear that the Holy Spirit works through music and that music is meant to be an integral part of our human experience.
The American Music Therapy Association can attest to the thousands of professionals who regularly use music to support the development of the disabled and delayed, treat those suffering from mental illness, and promote healing and pain management for those battling disease. Clinical studies show increased melatonin levels in Alzheimer’s patients who partake in memory-preserving music therapy. Music seems to enhance all the good in our brain, releasing the good hormones that boost our immunity and calm the mind. On our facebook page, young Logan shared how he believed that listening to music helped him to recover from the flu faster!
Impressive statistical evidence links music studies to academic success. Increasing a child’s music aptitude promotes increased aptitude in everything from math to gross motor skills. With this in mind, it isn’t surprising to see organizations like Education Through Music who bring music programs to needy schools for the primary purpose of improving academic performance. Music, for its own sake, is enough for me, but the power of music to enhance development is compelling.Or take the work of Ray Barnett, founder of the African Children’s Choir. Music is his inspiration, tool and medium for the work of transforming the lives of the poorest, most needy children throughout Africa. In his own words, “Inspired by the singing of one small boy, we formed the first African Children’s Choir™ — to show the world that Africa’s most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability.” Children who participate in the Choir go on to achieve advanced degrees and continue to give back to their communities.
