Music is something that is very important to me. I have been singing in different choirs and on my own since I was in second grade. I am constantly listening to playlists from Spotify, and I love finding songs I can connect to on a deeper level. I love when a song can touch me and that I can relate to. However, when listening to the radio, it's often hard to find a song that can have that affect on me. There aren't many mainstream songs that can do that for me, so I don't listen to mainstream music anymore.

I first started listening to a local Christian music station when I was in elementary school. I liked the songs, and I enjoyed their catchy tunes and inspiring messages. After taking a short hiatus from that station in middle school and the beginning of high school, I realized how different listening to that music made me feel. Listening to Contemporary Christian music has helped me in so many ways.

Mainstream pop radio stations don't always have the best sort of music, in my opinion. Sure, there are some songs that are catchy and can get stuck in your head, but if you really listen to the lyrics, they can often be very sexual, degrading and inappropriate. I am not trying to bash anyone that listens to mainstream music at all. This is just how I feel about it. I like music to put me in a good mood and music that can inspire me. Contemporary Christian music does that for me and will continue to do that for me.

Sure, I will occasionally listen to the mainstream channels if other people are in the car, and I know they wouldn't want to hear my "Jesus music." Or, I'll turn it on if the other stations have commercial breaks or people are talking about something I'm not interested in, but it is not the only thing I listen to anymore.

Artists like Matthew West, Francesca Battistelli, for King and Country, Moriah Peters and many others have a wide variety of songs for any mood that I may feel throughout my day. There are songs that make me want to get up and dance, songs that make me reflect on my relationship with God and songs that I need to hear when I am having a bad day. I love the moments when I turn on the radio and a song comes on that has lyrics that I really needed to hear in that moment. It is a perfect example of how God works in mysterious ways in the world.

I often enjoy listening to Christian Contemporary music because it puts me in a good mood. Music has that affect on me and when I need it the most. Songs like "Find Rest" by Francesca Battistelli or "Diamonds" by Hawk Nelson can do that for me; songs like "Dangerous Woman" by Ariana Grande or "Hotline Bling" by Drake don't have that same affect on me.

Christian Contemporary music also allows me to become closer to my faith. When I hear lyrics like, "Truth is you know what tomorrow brings/ there's not a day ahead you have not seen/ so, in all things be my life and breath/ I want what you want lord and nothing less" from Lauren Daigle's song "Trust In You," it reminds me that God knows the plan for my life and even if tomorrow will be difficult, He is already there to help me and He will give me the strength I need to get through it.

I know that our world today is very secular, and you would never hear music like that on the mainstream radio, but if you are ever having a bad day, try and find a Christian radio station to turn to. Who knows, God may surprise you with lyrics you need to hear in that moment.