Songs help shape the seasons of our life. In the same way that a movie soundtrack frames the mood of a scene, music can help frame the moments of our life. There's a lesson we should learn from this: Pick your playlist carefully. The start of a semester is a new season. We’ve got a new Spotify Playlist to match it. This playlist is compiled of favorite tunes from current Institute students who said these songs carried them through the last semester and kept their focus on God. Here’s a few notable mentions, alongside over 30 other titles.

“Spirit” by Switchfoot

“This song is encouraging to me as a simple prayer, but one that carries a great amount of meaning and power. It reflects that the spirit of the living God should be what fills my lungs (Gen 2:7), boldly declaring that time spent away from this spirit is wasted. This song grounds me, always strengthens the clarity of my priorities, and even makes me think of Colossians 3:16. I believe this is what Paul had in mind for a venue in which believers can connect with the Lord.” 

“Wash Me Clean” by Page CXVI

“This song helped me out during a hard time. It has a hopeful tone and talks about the redeeming abilities of God, and how he makes good out of even the darkest of times. It’s also just a moving musical composition.”

“Form us” by Vineyard worship 

“The song is encouraging because it makes such an emotional plea: to be formed and shaped by the Word of God. It’s been a concept that I have hung onto since my last mission trip. Jeremiah 18 talks about the same process. It brings this unreal amount of peace, sitting in the formation of the Lord and the Joy that we can have.”

“Excellence” by Ecclesia 

“At first I mostly enjoyed the instrumentation of this song, but the more I listened to it the more I was encouraged by the declaration in the song. I really do believe that I can live like Jesus because God is forming me. I believe as I make myself available to the Lord he will transform me as a person and lead me on his path. And that’s what the song says. We will walk in excellence, be pure, holy, and blameless and our lives will show it.” 

“House on a Hill” by Amanda Lindsey Cook

“I found this song encouraging because this past season of my life has been a season of healing. I had moments where I had to bring myself before the Lord and allow him to ground me and remind me of who he is. This song helps me turn my eyes to the Lord in the midst of trials and keep my sights set on him.”

“Seasons Change” by United Pursuit

“We’ve been playing a lot of worship music in our house lately. God’s been so near to us, and he’s really been using songs to speak to us and remind us of his truth.”

To get the full experience, search for Institute for G.O.D. on Spotify and check out our “Welcome Back 2020 Playlist.” Though it’s inspired by our current students, it’s a great options for students anywhere who want to draw near to the Lord.