We all love to listen to music, some have their favorite groups, some a
singer, some an album, and even a song. Some couples have “their song,” but how
many actually listen to the music? To the actual composition, where the
instruments, including the voices make the song? It is the music I listen too,
and I drive Theresa crazy sometimes listening to songs, or parts of songs over
and over. To hear a back beat no one else hears, a bass line that really is a
melody, and a drummer playing a tune, not just a drum beat. I was taught at an
early age how to listen, and even if it isn’t a good song, musically it can be
beautiful. Or a good song can be lousy musically. This all may fall into the
if you have to ask I couldn’t explain it category, but next time you listen,
listen for all the instruments, how each one makes a contribution, and that if
without it you wouldn’t have the same music, something would be missing. The
harmony wouldn’t be there, and suddenly you hear other things....that weren’t
there before. But were all along. We all know what we like, we just don’t what
or why, or how it makes a great song, or great music.
When Brain Wilson, decided to make the best album ever, we were still a
world of 45rpm songs, but with Pet Sounds he changed all that. From “Wouldn’t
it be Nice” to “God Only Knows,” to “Caroline No,” only the vocals are the Beach
Boys, almost all the instruments are studio musicians, and the best there was.
The Wrecking Crew. Musically it is incredible, which I am getting a new insight
to after reading his latest book, and where even Capitol Records at the time
shelved it, not commercial enough, it was the impetus for Lennon and McCartney
to write Sgt. Pepper. Sir Paul states he still cries at the incredible music on
Pet Sounds, and God Only Knows is his favorite song-ever. Take a listen, in
mono if possible, it was recorded that way, and hear what no other musician has
written or played since then. The songs will grow on you, the music you will
never forget.
When asked “why do you have so many bikes?” I reply that each bike is for a
different mood. The same road takes on a new perspective with each different
bike, the senses being filled, or reinvigorated with each mile. Scraping
floorboards doesn’t mean you are as fast as a Ninja not scraping pegs, you ride
each different. And like good music, the road becomes a tune you sing while
riding. You harmonize with the temperature, the wind, the smells of orange
blossoms, and how far you lean into each corner. Yesterday at 131 going up the
freeway felt as safe or safer than 25 in some turns I know, for riding like
music is personal, and the the better the rider, the more sensory input you
receive, and the more you enjoy the ride...all aspects of it. But that ride,
like Brian Wilson’s music can be like trying to describe a perfect sunset to a
blind man, he has no idea of colors, or of the size and scope. We rely on all
our senses, and when one is vacant or weakened, we create a void. But it
doesn’t have to be that way. Physically or emotionally.
Or spiritually either. God has given us his spirit, to take us places
where our senses fail. We were once that blind man who couldn’t see the perfect
sunset, in Christ our eyes are opened, but we still cannot describe it. Given
sight and insight we see things deeper, more beautiful than those who only see
colors. In the spirit we not only see the words on a page, but see the man who
the book is written about, and we meet the same spirit that inspired them. Yet
many concentrate on only the words, and like a song miss the great music. When
in the spirit, you can be singing any song and see Jesus. You can find God on
any road while riding, and in the people you meet. You have no limits to what
God has for you, only your desires limited by religion keep you from seeing all
the spirit has to offer curtail you from the blessings God has for you. In the
spirit you see things that earthly words cannot describe, and you go from the
blind man to the man who can see, but his audience is now blind to what he is
seeing, and his words mean nothing but nonsense. Sometimes heritical to
established teaching. But in the spirit we see all things as God sees them,
with no limits. All the emotions and the physical take on a new dimension in
the spirit, and it just doesn’t happen while praying, or in church. It is
between you and God, and when you turn it all over to him, you see things that
were right in front of you before and missed. You go beyond God only knowing to
being included in the testimony. You go beyond the teaching, the study, the
classes or the service, you are with God one to one. Just you and Jesus, guided
by his spirit. Time stands still, and a new depth of perception is found that
is beyond description. Suddenly those who can only see are blind, and no words
can describe the greatness of God to them, the scriptures becoming only words on
the page to trip over. To be discussed. Only in the spirit will you encounter
the love God has for you, the depth of forgiveness, and the wonders of his
mercy. And begin to live in his grace, with no rules or limits other than to
love him first, and to love others as you love yourself. The deeper in Jesus,
the more love, the more insight, the more blessings. That no words can
describe. For perfection cannot be described in words, but by the person of
Jesus Christ. And without his spirit, it all lacks that something
personal.
So whether in riding or listening, God has more for you. A heightening of
all your senses, including a spiritual one that goes beyond description. Brian
created a masterpiece with Pet Sounds, a commercial disappointment, but today an
album that is historic and important. Where music has come together to make
songs, that make an album, that must be played over and over. To hear the
melodies, all the instruments, and all the music he heard when composing it.
Each bit of music like the perfect road you want to ride again and again, on
different bikes. Tidbits of joy found that were there all the time if you only
take the time to listen. If only we approached Jesus that way, for he is the
music of heaven, far more than all the songs written about him. If music is the
language of love, play on. If it is the language of riding, ride on. Only in
the spirit will you hear what the composer included and why. From high to low,
each note is there for a reason. We are those notes, and when played in the
harmony of the spirit, the music is incredible. Let God open the eyes to your
blindness today via the holy spirit, you will never know what you are missing
until you do. And have a greater insight to what the blind man saw when given
his sight. Sunrises and sunsets, and all the rides in between, let the spirit
set the tone, the mood. And enjoy the ride of your life. Riding and living in
the spirit, anything else is just a song. Listen to the music....only the
spirit can describe properly the sunset you have been missing. For you too are
a masterpiece God is waiting to write. Brian wrote “I Know There’s an Answer,”
I know the answer. Personally. Do you? Jesus, now wouldn’t that be nice?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com