The Quote He Underlined Three Times In A Devotional: “Let Your Music Be Your Ministry.”

April 8, 2025

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the dusty streets of Memphis, a young Elvis Presley sat cross-legged on the worn wooden floor of his small room. It was the summer of 1954, and the world outside was alive with laughter and chatter, but inside, the only sounds were the gentle strumming of his guitar and the soft rustle of pages flipping. In his hands was a devotional book gifted to him by his mother. As he read through the familiar verses, his eyes landed on a particular quote that struck him deep in his heart: “Let your music be your ministry.” He underlined it three times, feeling the weight of the words resonate within him.

Elvis had always loved music; it was both a refuge and a passion. Growing up in a poor neighborhood, he often turned to the radio for solace. The sounds of gospel, blues, and country filled his soul, and each note encouraged his dreams of becoming a star. But as he contemplated the quote, it took on a new meaning. He realized that music was not just about fame but about connecting with people and sharing joy, love, and hope. Fueled by the inspiration from those words, he decided to pour his heart into every performance, determined to touch lives through his art.

As Elvis’s career began to take off, he faced challenges that tested his resolve. The road to success was paved with criticism and skepticism. Many doubted a young man from Memphis could make it in the world of music, especially with a style that blended rock and roll with the sounds of gospel and rhythm and blues. But each time he felt the weight of doubt creeping in, he remembered the quote he had underlined. He embraced the sheer power of his music, allowing it to convey messages that mattered. He sang songs that spoke of heartbreak, joy, and struggle, and with each note, he felt he was doing what he was meant to do.

The night he stepped onto the stage of the Louisiana Hayride for the first time, the excitement in the air was electric. The crowd roared as he began to sing “That’s All Right,” a song that would soon become iconic. With every strum of his guitar and every powerful note that escaped his lips, he felt as if he were sharing a piece of himself. The audience didn’t just hear his music; they felt it. In that moment, he understood the true essence of the words that had inspired him. His music was indeed his ministry—a way to connect with others and bring light into their lives.

As the years rolled on, Elvis became a household name, but he never lost sight of what truly mattered. He performed with passion, and his songs became anthems for generations. He stood on stages around the world, yet the message remained the same: music could heal, uplift, and unite people. Even when faced with personal struggles, including the pressures of fame and the constant scrutiny of the public eye, he held on tightly to the belief that his music had a purpose. It was a gift meant to help others find hope in the darkness, just as it had done for him.

Looking back on his life, Elvis often reflected on that small devotional book and the quote that had guided him from the very beginning. Music had not only shaped his career; it had been a beacon of resilience, passion, and love. He had turned his struggles into songs, his joys into performances, and in doing so, he had created a legacy that resonated far beyond his years. With every strum, every lyric, he had embraced his calling, proving that indeed, music could be a ministry, changing lives one note at a time.