What’s in a Song?

By Del Duduit

A song can make a difference. It can lift your spirits, make you feel good, or sad, mellow or festive.

Songs are a part of our fabric. Everything we do revolves around music.

Me? I have a tendency to turn on Norah Jones, Elvis Presley or Billy Joel. My taste in music varies. I like contemporary Christian, some Southern Gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz and some Classic Rock.

Songs can make a difference, just like the written word.

Music can leave you inspired, motivated or even silly on occasion.

Some songs contain impactful meanings and send a powerful message, while others are written to make you laugh.

Songs may also challenge you and force yourself to look in the mirror.

This is what happened to Ben Roethlisberger.

Ben is the multiple Super Bowl winning quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s a big guy in stature, but he was brought to tears when a song came over the radio at just the right time.

His touching story is captured in chapter three of my new book, First Down Devotions: Inspirations from NFL’s Best. Here is a short sample of that chapter.

Between 2006 and 2010, Ben’s personal life started to unravel. At the end of this period, the NFL suspended him four games and ordered him to undergo “professional behavioral evaluations.” His world was on a downward spiral, and his life and reputation were at risk.

But he found the boost he needed when he listened to a song by TobyMac.

He was driving his car one day when the song Lose my Soul began to play on the radio. He had grown up in a small church in Lima, Ohio, and he knew the difference between right and wrong. The message contained in the popular tune opened his eyes to allow him to see the circumstances at stake.

“I just pulled over and started crying,” Ben said. “That song came at a time when I needed to hear it. I thought to myself, I have it all, but I don’t want to lose my soul.”

Right there in his car, he prayed and reconnected with Christ, and he has been a wonderful role model for the Kingdom ever since. He handled his problems by leaning on God for strength and forgiveness and turned the problems he created over to the Lord.

“My faith means everything to me,” he added. “I play for Him first.”

No obstacle from our past can hinder us in our destination to find God—except for ourselves. Once we get out of the way and get back in His will, we find it easier to throw a touchdown against the devil’s defense.

In order for you to make a play and win in life’s game, you must first know the devil’s defensive strategy. Here are some ways to know your weaknesses and how to protect yourself.

• Admit you have a tendency to sin: We all do. You are no different. You are human and have desires of the flesh. Expect to be tempted by the forces of evil, and be prepared for the attacks. When you know your weaknesses, you can put a game plan in place to make you stronger.
• Get away from the wrong attractions: When you allow temptations to draw close, you are in trouble. Flee from them—don’t try to handle these situations yourself. When Ben sees a blitz coming toward him, he does not stand in and fight the rushing linemen. He jukes his way around them to escape and make the play.
• Be accountable: Find some friends who will hold you to a higher standard and pray for you. Choose three or four men you can meet with on a monthly basis to discuss any concerns you have in your life. Be accountable to them as your personal board of directors. In turn, you can do the same for them.
• Keep a song in your heart: A song reminded Ben he had the earthly pleasures in life, but his soul was in jeopardy. He made the right call.

Can you recall a time when a song influenced you to make a life-changing decision?

How did a song have a positive impact on you?

My book officially releases August 5, but you can pre-order it here.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

His latest book, Dugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best – can be purchased from New Hope Publishers here, or on Amazon here