I spent much of last week at a themed resort, a heavily themed resort with a number of settings, each staged with meticulous attention to detail. A long-time lover of Africa and all things African, I was thrilled to stay in a lodge manned by natives, brimming over with African art and ambiance, and alive at all times with the sound of African music. The air was deliciously filled with softly undulating rhythms, quiet wooden vibes, and subtle chantings.

Venture outside of the lodge area into another setting, and you might hear airy Asian whistles, or Venetian love ballads, or worse, much worse, endless repetitions of “It’s A Small World.” Yes, my family visited Disney World, and take it from me, the world really is not that small. But I digress….

I was fascinated by the way Disney used music to create a setting. The subliminal soundtrack of each venue deliberately crafted an appealing ambiance, removing you from central Florida and transporting you to a place distant both geographically and psychically. Disney leaves nothing to chance, and the effect was subtle yet profound, exactly as intended, I’m sure. The soundtrack encouraged you to believe that you were, indeed, on an African plain. And it was presented with such understated appeal that you were happy to do so.

You probably know where I’m going with this…. While I admit that the application isn’t exactly the same, I wonder if our music, themed in a somewhat similar sense, is as successful. Does Christian music create a vibe equally as winsome? Are our musical expressions of faith ‘transporting’ in the sense of offering a glimpse into another world? As imaginative as ol’ Walt was, even he couldn’t duplicate the ‘quickening’ power of the Spirit. We have access to the same power that raised Christ from the dead; imagine if it filled our music.

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