Redemption Song

Yesterday I read a powerful comeback story about an artist that is near and dear to my heart, D’Angelo.  I was first introduced to his music back in the 90s and was mesmerized.  It was more than his looks that had my teenage self sweating…his music used to take me to such a deep place.  I didn’t know how to describe it then, but I remember going in my room, turning the music up, and studying the lyrics and the melodies.  As I mentioned in my blog “An Instrument in the Arms of God“, I have always had a deep connection with music…it is a big part of who I am.  When I was a teenager, I read the liner notes in every CD – I wanted to know who the musicians were, who wrote the song, who was singing background vocals, who the artist was inspired by, etc.  If the liner notes didn’t have the lyrics in them, I would play the songs over and over so I could write them down and try to feel where the artist was coming from and analyze what the song was really about.  I was incredibly impressed by how multi-talented D’Angelo was…not just a singer, but a true musical genius.

I had not been introduced to meditation at that time (1995), but his music definitely took me to a meditative state…nothing else in the world mattered when his songs were on…not that boy that didn’t call me back…not the teacher that incorrectly thought I plagerized my papers…not missing an important shot on the basketball court…not anything at all.  One of the songs I used to play over and over on the Brown Sugar CD was the very last song, Higher.  I thought the love he was singing about was SO strong and was truly something I hoped to one day experience (I was 15 and clearly knew nothing about love).  I would listen over and over dreaming about the love I would one day find.  What I didn’t get at that time was that this song was not only talking about a relationship between man and woman…he was also talking about his spiritual relationship with God (give me a break…I was young).  As I listen again right now as I type, I am experiencing it in a whole new way – God has most certainly taken me “higher…higher than I’ve ever, ever known”.  I am feeling so grateful for Him lifting me up out of the darkest place in my life (my battle with depression and anxiety).

Reading his story was so inspiring – I’m so glad he was so open about his struggles.  I really believe we lift up the consciousness of the world when we share our authentic selves with one another.  I won’t give the details here because I truly think it’s well worth the 20 minutes it takes to read through it – it’s that good!  I love a comeback story (especially recently since I’m writing one of my own via this blog) and this is the ultimate comeback.  D’Angelo has certainly, like myself and many others, experienced “rock bottom”, but has come out of it with a true sense of who he is and who he is not.  He is authentic…free…at peace with what happened in the past…and has an unwavering faith in God.  While I don’t wish bad on anyone at all, there is something about going “through the fire” that brings us out stronger than ever before.

“That which refuses to be broken, refuses to be blessed.  The most blessed peoeple have been broken at some point in their life” ~TD Jakes

 I now welcome those down moments (and thank God for them) because I know they are revealing something that needed to be released in order for me to move to the next level.  I can’t wait to hear more of what will come from D’Angelo now that he’s freed from the “demons” of his past – I know it will be amazing!  I pray for his continued strength and perserverance as he re-emerges into the light.  In the article, Questlove said “He is literally holding the oxygen supply that music lovers breathe…when D starts singing, all is right with  the world.”  Amen, brotha Quest!  I can’t wait to hear his “redemption songs”.

D’Angelo has Psalm 23:4 tattooed on his arm…I couldn’t think of a better way to close this out.  God is so good and is always right there with us!  Know that no matter what you’re going through (or what you’ve been through)…God can and will make a way out of no way!  Keep shining!

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  ~Psalm 23:4

 Click here to read the full story which was featured in the June 2012 issue of GQ magazine.

~Kandace

About the Author: Kandace Jones

I used to live life shackled by fear, doubt, and worry. I put on a happy face while navigating my day-to-day duties, but I was emotionally drained, stressed, and unhappy. When I hit rock bottom, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I was determined to live life differently. I knew there had to be another way. Out of that determination, and guidance from Spirit, the "Living in the Light" blog was born. It documents my spiritual journey out of the darkness and into the Light. After nine months of publicly sharing my journey, and consciously releasing my attachment to the ego, I experienced a powerful spiritual awakening. I went from living in fear, doubt, worry, and stress to complete inner peace. My greatest passion has become assisting others on their own journey to inner peace. My spiritual memoir, From Stress to Peace: An Intimate Journal on the Journey from Living in Darkness to Living in the Light, is available now on Amazon and BN.com. Click the tabs at the top of the page to learn more about the From Stress to Peace 21-Day Challenge, Living in the Light Retreats, 1:1 sessions, and the Living in the Light Community - all of which are designed to support your journey to inner peace. I appreciate you taking the time to visit the blog and look forward to supporting you in any way I can!