Today is the first blog post in a mini-series of articles called “Melodies with Meaning.” Our columnists are going to tell you about some of their favorite spiritual songs. Hopefully, these articles will leave you with a light heart — and maybe even a new favorite tune. Look for Melodies with Meaning throughout June.

In the early ‘90s, a little thing known as compact discs made their way onto the scene. Foreign as they seemed, it signified the dawn of a new era of music listening. And in the Pezzenti house, it meant a trip to the local electronic store to pick out a few CDs. Among the first? “Silent Night Gospel Christmas with Mahalia Jackson.”

I’m not sure what made us pick that one out in particular. (Perhaps it was close to the upcoming holiday season? Perhaps it was the cheap $5.99 price? Perhaps we saw the classic song list and were intrigued?) Regardless, the mixture of seasonal and non-seasonal tunes became a staple of every Christmas and provided an uplift throughout the year. Discovering Mahalia’s voice is still among my top musical memories.

One of my favorite songs (unfortunately not on the CD we purchased but later discovered on another of her albums) is Mahalia’s version of “My God Is Real.” The lyrics are simple:

There are some things
I may not know
There are some places
Oh Lord, I cannot go
But I am sure
Of this one thing
That God is real
For I can feel
Him in my soul
Yes, God is real
Oh, He’s real in my soul
Yes, God is real
For He has a washed
And made me whole
His love for me
Is just like pure gold, oh Lord
My God is real
For I can feel
Him in my soul

When I think about the God I serve, I often bask in His greatness — the Creator of the universe knows me … He lives inside of me … He is real to me. How do I know for certain? Because I can “feel Him in my soul.” He’s the tears in my eyes, the smile on my face, the swell in my heart. On tough days, I know He’s there. On not-so-tough days, I know He’s there, too. There’s a peace inside of me that only He can provide; even in the midst of job losses, sicknesses, anxiety, and worries — He is there. He never leaves me. He’s a permanent presence, my perfect pal.

When you make your commitment at the water’s edge, you gain this surety: that God is real. Perhaps you knew it all along … but when “He has washed and made [you] whole”, it takes that certainty to an entirely different level.

We live in a world that says you have to see it to believe it. And even some of the best of us needed proof to know He was real (John 20:24-29). But this melody reminds us that despite those moments of doubt that creep in, His love is ready and waiting. And it never goes away. We may not understand His methods or His ways, but we know that He is as real as they come.

Enjoy a little Mahalia with your morning cuppa … I guarantee you’ll be humming this favorite of mine all day. #melodieswithmeaning

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.