Lessons in Music - SOJA - Faith Works

Music has always been such a great part of my life, that I decided to start a new type of post to do every once in a while about lessons I learnt from certain songs. I believe the music we hear has transformative power, evidenced by the fact we can stay for more than 10 years without hearing a song and when it starts we suddenly remember the whole lyrics. They stay with us, they shape us, they helped make us who we are today. I can certainly relate songs to feelings, particular episodes or seasons in life and can even see how the genres I favored over the years have shaped me to deal with a situation or even making it harder to end downward spirals.

For those who know me, know this section will mostly be filled with metal music moving forward, but had to start with one of the songs I most listen to and that helped me decide what I want to focus on in my life and also what it takes to succeed on any measure of success.

Faith, works and unconditional love -
No bad mind, no hatred, no envy and no grudge.
Babylon destroy, your minds they want to corrupt,
But InI have got to reach the higher heights up above.

The chorus, and that first sentence are words I constantly remind myself of. Faith, works and unconditional love. That’s it. That’s the recipe for a great life. A life of service, accomplishment and unions.

Things will never be the same,
Old doors close, new doors opening.
The life we led in the past, we've got to rearrange;
People treat life as it is a game.
Work hard to change the people's mentality,
The way the world is going now, it's insanity.
Live the life you love and don't go on so greedy,
Help the children to grow up and things will change speedily with

This verse reminds me that change is the only constant, and that we must adapt to new circumstances but also not forget to help others as we come across and they want our help

Hit the street and give a hand to
those you meet who need your speech to
lift their feet to rise and drag them
selves from the mud.
Be discreet so you won't ever meet defeat
for Jah will seat we won't retreat
and Babylon can't come out on top.
Faith without works that is death,
when you work you breathe hard so
InI give thanks for every breath.
I only fear is Jah judgment.
Try your best to live upright so that you don't
end up in hell with.

This verse’s most important point to me is “Faith without works that is death”. Just having faith without the necessary willingness to do the work, is the death of greatness. Help those close to you and that matter to you.

If a hawk can fly and show it's love
with songs of praise and giving thanks
along 395's polluted 10-lane highways -
And if a man like twice your age
can clean your house for minimum wage
and still somehow greet life with a big smile on his face...
Then why can't we just show respect
for all things with no neglect and realize
that love it is the only way?
Then why can't we accept the fact we're lucky,
we need to give back - we're foolish for not
humbling ourselves every day with 

This verse reminds me to be humble and thankful for everything I have. There’s so many people out there who have it way harder than me, who am I to complain ? What have I really endured compared to what so many have before and currently ? Greet life with a big smile.