Interview:

Undertones of my Lutheran upbringing spring forth immediately when asked to express my feelings on the spiritual significance of music, for I cannot articulate myself more poignantly than to first mention a quote from Martin Luther who offered, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise”. Already having a deep appreciation for music and writing the well-known hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, Martin Luther’s observation made hundreds of years ago may have been incredibly insightful and far more than worthy of consideration.

What if prayer is understood to be a direct means of connecting to our God on a personal and spiritual level, but not the only means? And what if a musician’s true gift is the rare ability to literally provide each listener a glimpse of Heaven right here on Earth? Maybe Heaven is not a place at all, but rather a feeling that awakens our Spirit because for that moment in time we are touched by music, we are at one with our Maker.

Our response to music should prove beyond reproach that there exists an inherent, instinctual attraction to melodic sounds within each of us. While our sense of hearing comes to attention when music is present, all our senses are aroused and seem to come alive almost as if we’ve fallen in love. But then, knowing God equates to knowing love in the most cherished and intimate way, couldn’t one then easily conclude that music calls to the heart of our spirit?

As we become lost on any musical journey, one note following the next, we’re led deeper and deeper into a song’s mysterious powers. But where is that place we become lost? Perhaps the crossroad where the blissful heart meets the enraptured soul. Such an experience can reach far beyond the singular. This mysterious power has the undeniable ability to unite souls on every corner of this planet. Any power capable of breaching every man-made barrier that seeks to separate us must emanate from something far greater than man’s limited resources.

I believe this musical, global harmony is not only intentional, but that this common seed planted in each of us must have been part of our Creator’s design. Believing all these truths, it becomes evident to me that music must be the divine breath of God within each of us being exhaled into the world to provide a source of love, hope, inspiration, and healing.

“Music must be the divine breath of God within each of us being exhaled into the world to provide a source of love, hope, inspiration, and healing.”
– Wendy Bartlett, Director of Healing With Harmony