Gospel music is the balm that keeps the heart issues in focus as we go through the ups and downs in life.

Diligently Guard Your Heart
By Minister Judy Mays
Many years ago, I worked as a houseparent in a residential treatment facility. Of the many youth placed there, the one common denominator between them was an interest in music.

However, because a system was in place to bring order and discipline into their young lives, certain musical renderings were just not allowed. The interesting thing to me was that once a person lost merit points, even music thought to be acceptable was taken away. There was to be no communication of any kind allowed. I thought... great, an empty, needy vessel filled with what - a larger void?

So, one weekend during the course of 48 hours, I brought in my gospel music
and played it almost non stop. By Monday morning most of the division was either singing or humming to the lyrics of BeBe and CeCe Winans, gospel artists whom thay had never even heard of before. I noticed the difference in their interaction with peers, how they went about daily routines and how differently they were able to spend "quiet time".

The Bible tells us that we are to diligently guard our hearts for out of it flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). The heart is the center of the intellect. The heart is the center of emotion and human will. How it is nurtured or guarded is very important. I am convinced that gospel music is a lifeline to diligently guard the heart. A very traumatic event ( and the revelation made as a result) serves to prove this point.

Some time ago, after a sniper shooting in San Diego, California, police chiefs from across the nation convened to try and determine a common thread among snipers. It was determined that the only commanlity was a lack of music exposure/appreciation or that some snipers had a fetish for hard core music!

Throughout the scriptures music is commended. It is an integral part of the worship experience, but not only as a means to"get our praise on". Gospel music is the balm that keeps the heart issues in focus as we go through the ups and downs of life. Gospel music makes the word alive in our hearts and overcomes the intentions of oppression and depression.

Psalm 34 in the Holy Bible (written by King David) is a song of praise and trust. David did what we call "crazy, radical praise" before his enemy who thought he was indeed insane and left. Oh, that is a word for somebody. "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul (heart) shall make its boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof an be glad. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together (Psalm 34: 1-3).

So go ahead, pop in that CD and give your heart issues a lift - diligently guard your heart. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Judy Mays is a licensed minister and serves as preacher, teacher, intercessor with a prophetic anointing at Union Missionary Baptist Church, Muncie, In.