Love Songs on Valentine's

Pretty much like how endings leave a bittersweet feeling that leaves you inspired, music flows through the ears and into one's soul. The ears are like eyes visualizing how the notes and all its components coalesce to provide a sense of surreality. It's when we catch and feel the glimpse of fantasy we long to achieve, and the feeling just flows naturally, leaving a sense of longing.

from http://afactualworld.wordpress.com/category/music/

A few years ago, this was my definition of Music, until recently, I found myself noticing a few changes in my way of thinking.

Music has always been close to my heart. Besides writing, singing has also been something I've loved ever since I was a kid. Although at times, I'm still a bit shy about letting people hear me sing, the years of experience has taught me a lot, and I can say that I don't think there's ever been a moment I've regretted singing the songs I've sung.

Just like writing, singing is also one way of expressing myself. Having been a member of a choir ever since I was a kid has taught me lots of things that are useful in life, but probably the most important one I keep in heart would be the passion it takes to deliver a song well.

A few nights ago, I had the opportunity to watch the Philippine Madrigal Singers in their concert called "All For Love" in CCP along with some of my friends in our choir (pictures to follow). I love how their voices melded and resonated so perfectly that after hearing them, I felt my passion for music grow stronger. They serenaded us with different kinds of love songs, and my favorite would have to their their rendition of Gary Valenciano's How Did You Know. As some of you know, I'm also a big fan of Gary Valenciano. Sir Marvin Gayatgay just sang this beautifully, and my heart just melted upon hearing them sing this.

So what's the big deal about love songs this Valentine's? For me, I just realized how relevant love songs have been in my life recently, especially this one. Why? The lyrics just reminded me of someone.


How Did You Know I needed someone like You in my life?
That there was an empty space in my heart.
You came at the right time in my life.
I'll never forget how You brought the sun to shine in my life
And took all the worries and fears that I had.
I guess what I'm really trying to say
It's not everyday that someone like You comes my way
No words can express how much I love You.


One big change I noticed in my way of thinking is who I had in mind while I heard them sing this. Most people dedicate this kind of song to a person they're courting, a partner, or maybe a relative close to their heart. I admit doing this in the past, but what shocked me was how I only realized recently how some love songs describe God beautifully; this being one of them. I am reminded of this verse:

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 NIV)

People give special importance to Valentine's Day as the Day of the Hearts and a day of just sheer love, but given a different perspective, I can see how this can be applied not only every Feb. 14 of the year, but in every day of our lives. It's our decision to love people in this world, and what stands between dedicating one day of the year and every day of our lives to loving out of the overflow of our hearts is love for Jesus.

This can be seen in the simplest of acts such as what we do and the words we speak. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34 ESV).


So, this Valentine's Day, with the stir of all the love songs around, I challenge you to listen for the love song you dedicate to God and start singing it with all your heart every day of your life. Express your heart in song and live it out with the passion that's needed to deliver a song well, and focus on Him who enables you to love so that you'll never ever get tired of singing.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:2 NIV)