I love stories. More than that, I love the art of storytelling.

One of my sisters and I attended a Performing Arts High School. With a music major and a minor in drama, calling me a drama queen isn’t an insult; it’s a compliment.

I enjoy immersing myself in a movie, play or musical and getting lost in whatever world that is created right in front of me. At the same time, I see the cinematography, stage blocking, and language choices in the dialogue.

My favourite is the music choices. You can change the tenor of a scene with the music. A love scene can become creepy with a music choice. Suspense can turn comical.

My life has a soundtrack. Timers are set on my phone to help me get through the day. The soft quiet songs are to help wake me up in the morning and the beat picks up the as my morning routine moves on. I have songs to remind me to take my pills, take breaks during the day, and eat lunch. The song that tells me it’s time to get out the door is Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway.”

There is just something I love about a Movie Music Montage. At the start of our song, our main character is ____ (insert negative thing here). They are defeated, somehow, down and out. The failing student. The out-of-shape athlete. The ugly, overweight, unloved, unemployed, poor … you name it. Any negative thing could fit here.

Then comes the song for our Music Montage. According to Screenrant, “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor is the number one song to mark this magic movie moment, having been used 47 times.

The music plays, and we see our person become what they want to be. The student learns how to study. The overweight athlete starts to work out and eat better. The estranged family reunites. Whatever obstacle is placed before them, they find a way to overcome it in four minutes or less.

I can’t count how many times I have heard myself saying I’m ready for the Music Montage Moment. Wouldn’t it be great to have a life transformation in four minutes or less? Our Creator can do that. I know some people who have asked for His help to stop smoking, and immediately the desire ceased. Yet others struggled for years. I also know of those who prayed for cancer to leave their bodies, and they never saw that miracle on this side of heaven, yet others were able to rejoice that their bodies were delivered.

I can’t comprehend why some people seem to get the upbeat Music Montage, while others have a tragic tune that forces them to put in so much more time and effort, and sometimes they still don’t get to see the transformation they were hoping for.

What I am learning (I wish I could have typed “have learned,” but that would be a lie) is that if you don’t get the Music Montage, then get yourself the Playlist.

Here’s what I know about Playlists:

There is more than one song, so be prepared for it to go on for a while. Accept God’s timing. He does know best. It is going to be what it is going to be, so get used to it. Just work on obedience and attitude in the waiting.

A Playlist reminds us we aren’t alone. These songs were written by someone. If they are ringing true to you, remember someone wrote it, and it rang true to them as well.

A Playlist can change. Today, I want music to mourn with; tomorrow, I might need to shout; the next day, I want to dance. Or I may want to do all three in 15 minutes. Play what you need when you need.

A Playlist can be shared. Ask friends what songs help them get through things. Ask your worship leader what is sung on Sundays. Google songs about whatever you need.

You can borrow other people’s Playlists or you can build your own. Whether you get a Music Montage or you have to go with a Playlist, remember you aren’t alone. You can share that journey with friends, family, or me (I love making new friends). Here are my Apple and Spotify playlists, feel free to borrow.

What songs are on the soundtrack of your life?

_{Read another soundtrack post The Lightning Maker.}