My Easter Playlist

And you thought Christmas Carols were important? Personally, as much as I love a holiday jingle as much as the next person, songs that tell the story of Easter [the original one without the bunny—ftr], are the tunes that move me into this week and remind me daily why I live.

Let me back up a moment.

I’ve always loved music. From the time when I first laid on my stomach on my front porch, facing my radio almost daily after school in fifth grade and adjusted the antennae for maximum static reduction. Music has been almost as important as oxygen to me, and my iPod more dear to me than chocolate. Well, a close tie. Okay, we can have that debate another day.

I have a song associated with all my memories, especially the highlights, milestones, and low points in my life. Toni Braxton came in handy when some boy broke my heart and when you’re a teen, it feels like you can’t breathe when that happens. Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” embraced me when I started dreaming about my part in changing the world and making a difference. And the late Whitney Houston helped me through many a day when I asked, “How Will I know if he really loves me,” because I was one of those girls who was always falling in love, but never quite moving past the crush across the room phase.

So it only made sense that when I began to seriously pursue a faith that answered life’s deepest questions, certain songs helped me to understand the picture of a love that wouldn’t let me go. A God that loved me just the way I am. And Grace that offered to enter the darkest parts of me and tell me, it’s okay. I’m okay. We could get through this life. Together.

So instead of telling you why I love Easter or the story of my faith…I thought I’d take you on a short audible journey through the music that has gone past my ears and trickled into my heart. To tell me that I am Forgiven. Accepted. And Loved.

Enjoy!I have always associated God’s Grace with an outpouring of water…whether as tears, rain, or my beloved waterfalls… Christy Nichols’ “Grace Flows Down”

This is an oldie but a goodie by Benny Hestor. It tells the story of the Prodigal Son…called, “When God Ran.”

I love this next song so much, because Jennifer Knapp sings the story of the woman who admits, “I am weak, I am poor, I am broken Lord, But I’m yours…Hold me now.” That’s the story of my heart…

No one sings it better than Kari Jobe’s when she says, “The More I seek you, the more I find you… The more I find you, the more I love you…” Plus, when I watch this video, I imagine that I can dance like her…

This next song I listened to in college for the first time, and no other song has since spoken to my need to know I am accepted, and there is nothing that I have done or will ever do that will ever separate me from God’s Grace and unconditional love. There was a time when I wrestled with my guilt and thought there’s no way I will ever forgive myself for some of the choices I made when I was seeking out love in all the wrong places. This song by Margaret Becker told me to “Just come in…lay your heart right here…you should never fear…” and “love does not care.”

Finally, a song that tells the story of Easter like no other. And no better way to hear it than from the sweet voice of a five year old that sings her little heart out. Because this love that defines me reminds me that Jesus took the fall and thought of me…”Above all” … “Like a rose, trampled on the ground”…so that someday I can return to the garden.

Well, thanks for listening! This is Deejay Rajy-Raj signing off, wishing you all a thoughtful week leading up to Easter. May the approaching days remind you afresh that you are wholly forgiven, completely accepted, and deeply loved!

**DO you have a song that has shaped your faith? Would love to hear!

**IF you LIKED this POST, you MIGHT also LIKE:

“My Valentine’s Playlist”

“First Michael…Now Whitney”

“Seek and Seek”