Tuning In

About halfway into our trip home from Club Nan on Friday, Zack's iPod battery died and I got bored with the songs on my iPhone. Scanning through the radio stations, I found two stations (Oldies and Classic Rock) to alternate between which spurred an impromptu game of Name That Tune. Admittedly, it was a one-sided game. Keenly aware that he was no match for my vast knowledge of popular music (at least anything pre-Y2K), Zack feigned disinterest and bent his head over his video game.

As someone who grew up in the pre-digital music era, when you couldn't instantly download single songs to something that would fit in your pocket, but instead just had to listen to whatever was on the radio, I am awesome at Name That Tune. Just ask Zack. I still remember almost all the words to the songs too. Really, it's true, just ask Zack. He tried to pretend he was kind of annoyed, but deep down, I think he was impressed.

"My World is Empty Without You" by Diana Ross & the Supremes, "Do You Believe in Love" by Huey Lewis & the News, "Two Less Lonely People in the World" by Air Supply, "Boogie Oogie Oogie" by Taste of Honey, "I Love Rock & Roll" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty, "Faithfully" by Journey, "Le Freak" by Chic, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper, "September" by Earth, Wind, & Fire, and "Honky Cat" by Elton John. I was kind of miffed that "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and "Do You Believe in Love" (two songs from my high school days) were played on the Oldies station, but I'm sure it was just a mistake. The only one I didn't get was "Teenage Wasteland" by the Who, which I technically guessed correctly, but I didn't count it because the fact that they just sang the words "teenage wasteland" over and over again pretty much gave it away.

Anyway, I was on a roll, ticking off song titles and artists within a few bars of each song. And they weren't even necessarily songs I like (sure, I've been an Elton John fan since I was 4, and I played my Cyndi Lauper tape until it broke...and OK, yes, I admit it, I had Air Supply's album in middle school, but I really don't want to talk about that).  In any case, you have to admit that 11 out of 12, including the artists and most of the lyrics, is pretty good.

I sure wish I could do the same thing with Bible verses. So many times, I've found myself in the middle of a conversation, a prayer, a thought, or a blog post, and I am certain there is a relevant Bible verse, but I just can't bring the specifics to mind. Something in Romans maybe? Hmm..what was that Jesus said about having the faith of a child? And what is that Psalm that talks about wings? I love that Psalm!

I know a few verses, of course, and if you'll just give me a few minutes to flip through my Bible or do a quick keyword search on blueletterbible.org, I can find exactly what I need. But most of the time, the best I can do is come up with a mostly-accurate synopsis of a verse. I've tried memorizing verses a few times, but I guess I just don't have a very good memory.

Um, well, maybe that's not the problem. I guess my formidable Name That Tune skills contradict that excuse.

Granted, most of what I've committed to memory regarding popular music has been passive. I simply tuned into the radio and eventually the information stuck. If I'm going to write God's word on the tablet of my heart, however, I'm going to have to seek after it. There are no radio stations that play the Bibleboards Hot 100 verses of the week or Oldies stations that play Bible "classics," but His Word is readily available. I just need to tune in. Certainly, hiding God's Word in my heart will take some extra effort, but since it is "a lamp to my feet and a light for my path,"* I think it may prove more useful than knowing the words to "Disco Inferno."

Have you committed any scripture to memory? Have you made excuses to avoid it? Do you have any tips to make it easier?

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." -Psalm 119:11

*Psalm 119:105 (I knew that one, by the way)