Why not? I mean, everyone can write music, and I think they do in some way. Melodies go through everyone’s head but some people catch them and write them down. That’s what I do. And there’s no one-set-way that I write. Sometimes I just grab a melody floating around. Sometimes I just sit at the piano or guitar and have fun exploring sounds that I like, and then, wha-lah! Out comes a song. But, because I know how people are moved by music, sometimes i deliberately write songs as a path to God - for people to be encouraged, refreshed, to reconnect with their Creator. Bottom line, I enjoy creating music - making beautiful sounds and meaningful lyrics based on the Scriptures, and I greatly delight in creating a song in which a person draws closer to God.

I wrote "You Are My Hiding Place" in 1980 in about fifteen minutes. I didn't know then that it would travel the world. I know now that it was never really “mine” to begin with (remember, I just “caught” a melody that God gave to me). These songs belong to whoever needs them. I’m just bless’d when I hear that a song I wrote encouraged someone or drew them closer to the Lord. That’s my real reward.

I look at the songs I write as completing a circle: God shows me great mercy and grace, and I praise Him with a song. As the Psalmist expressed:

“The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in him and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.” - Psalm 28:7

Realizing that my songs do not touch everyone, but they may touch a few, I hope you are one of those they touch.

Blessings!

Michael Ledner