Music and Life Lessons

Music is a wonderful thing.  It often speaks in ways that words cannot.  I’ve noticed that my listening preferences have come full circle during my high school years – for a while I liked to really “jam out,” but now I’m back to the slower, more thoughtful songs that I enjoyed when I was a freshman – only now the lyrics really hit home.  I recently discovered a few songs that spoke to my heart, and through them I’ve learned some very important lessons – lessons that, while not new, have to be learned repeatedly.  This post admittedly breaks my pattern – I’m not talking about politics or philosophy or economics.  Don’t worry, I’ll get back to that soon enough; but right now, pardon me while I become a little vulnerable for the next few paragraphs.

These aren’t in any kind of order; I’m going to include a portion of the song’s lyrics, then share my thoughts on it.  The titles are links to the songs on YouTube.

Help Me Find It

(Sidewalk Prophets)

I don’t know where to go from here – it all used to seem so clear;

I’m finding I can’t do this on my own.

I don’t know where to go from here –

 as long as I know that You are near, I’m done fighting, I’m finally letting go.

If there’s a road I should walk, help me find it.

If I need to be still, give me peace for the moment.

Whatever Your will, whatever Your will…

Can You help me find it? Help me find it…

Life is a journey.  Over the past year, I’ve been down what for me is a long road (though I know in the grand scheme of things it’s not long at all).  Through my college search, I saw a lot of uncertainty—a lot of bumps in the road—took a few wrong turns, tried to plan out my life, and then found myself standing still, saying, “Okay God, show me the way.”  I finally gave up trying to plot my own course and handed my future over to Him, asking Him to make my path crystal clear.  He did it with scholarships: I signed the contract at Colorado Christian University just a few short weeks later, without a doubt in my mind that that was where God was taking me.  You might be at an impasse.  Just know this: God has a plan.  You might not see it right now, and His path might not take you where you think you want to go, but it will take you where you’re supposed to be, without fail.  Until God opens the next door, praise Him in the hallway.

Faith is Not a Feeling

(Josh Wilson)

I have learned that feelings come and go,

And we all know emotions ebb and flow;

Some days I gotta trust what I already know:

That You never let go, You never let go.

There are days I hear You loud and clear,

Like nothing in the world could interfere;

I can sense you deep, deep down in my bones,

And I know I’m not alone, I know I’m not alone.

But when I don’t feel you moving, that doesn’t mean that you have disappeared;

And when I don’t feel you with me, oh God, that doesn’t mean you’re not there.

So I keep on believing… faith is not a feeling.

I’ve had those days when I felt God’s presence in my life, His finger upon me, and His Spirit within me.  When I was at the American Legion Oratorical Competition in Indianapolis last month, God really looked out for me – he paved the way for me through each round.  I not only saw his handiwork, but felt empowered in an incredible way as I was speaking; I was even granted opportunities to share his love and encouragement with some of the other competitors.  It was amazing.

But I also have those days when I’m getting… nothing.  It’s like a dead phone line – no signal, no breath of fresh air.  I feel so empty and alone, I don’t know what to do with myself.  I’m in one of those “downs” right now: it feels like He’s not speaking, not doing anything in me, through me, for me.  I just have to keep choosing to have faith, choosing to trust what I already know: that my Creator King is there somewhere, and He has a plan for my future even if I can’t see the whole picture.

Love Will Have the Final Word

(Jason Gray)

When the place that broke inside you will not mend, 
and you wander in the dark without a friend; 
When the night goes on and on, remember when it all goes wrong that 
this is how we know it's not the end.

Sorrow may close a chapter, but the story will end with laughter, 
'cause the worst thing is never the last thing – no, the last thing will be the best thing!

As long as God is on His throne, I am carried by the hope that 
love will have the final word.

Relationships are hard.  It takes effort and intentionality to plant the seeds of friendship, and energy and endurance to tend them.  Do we pay attention to the loner in our midst, or just let them slip through the cracks?  How often do we unknowingly leave people out or let them feel unwelcome?  How can we know for sure where we belong, versus where we just end up?  How many close friends is it really possible to have?  When should we give up on a seemingly one-sided relationship? 

How do we know who our real friends are?

This is a question I’m pondering as I prepare to graduate.  I’m staying close to home, but I’ll be saying farewell to a number of my friends who are going out of state.  My heart hurts.  See, I'm a bit of an introvert, but I do need people.  If I were to give up and quit pursuing friendships, I would wither and die alone.  I know that if a friendship is real, it won’t be affected by time or distance… but I don’t know who will care to keep in touch.  I’m scared of graduating – We’re closing a chapter: who will step over the page to walk with me through the next?  I know people can fail me – even the best can let me down; I have to look to Jesus for my hope and joy.   I’m ending this chapter with some excitement and some sorrow and fear, and trusting that love will have the final word.

Into Your Hands
(Diamond Rio)

I used to pray, but you know I never listened,
Always expecting I'd get my way in the end.

All of this time, you were there patiently waiting,
Loving me, faithfully laying your grace over me.

Time and again I've been hangin' on tight;
I'm losing my grip on the life I thought was mine.

Into your hands I'm gonna let it all go;
A part of this man is longing for you,
'Cause you know
What I feel, where I stand, where I'll be, who I am.
I give it all into your hands.

This is one of those lessons I have to keep learning – one of those reminders that I need over and over again.  Two years ago, at the end of my sophomore year, I thought I knew where I was going.  I was playing softball at the local high school, teaching piano lessons, involved in various music competitions, and planning to major in music education.  Then I started speech and debate – rather, my parents decided I was going to start speech and debate.  To say that I was disinterested would be a major understatement.  It was the last thing I wanted to do, but my parents didn’t know that until much later, because I conducted an experiment.  I decided to let go of my will and step outside of my comfort zone: trust my parents, trust God, and see what might happen.  I soon found myself smack in the middle of the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Because of speech and debate, I’ve found my true interests and passions – all the pieces of my education and upbringing have come together – had a ton of fun, and gotten to know some very special people.  I let go of what I thought I wanted, and God handed me what was really best for me.

Now I have to let go again.  I’ve been holding on tight to my idea of what life should look like, holding on to times that are changing and people that are leaving me (literally, emotionally, or… both).  Everything is changing, but it’s been this way before: I’ve seen change, I’ve been afraid of the unknown, and I’ve seen God work it all out.  Change always hurts, but it hurts a whole lot less if we don’t hold on so tight and fight it so hard.  I’m stepping out of my comfort zone again.  I’m losing control.  I’m letting go.

Life is Beautiful

(The Afters)

Living and dying, laughing or crying,

If we have the whole world, 
or have nothing,

I know there are long nights, 
but we’ll make it –

With every sunrise comes a new light

And all of the things that make us 
feel like we have it all.

All of the times that make us realize

we have it all.

I have so much to be thankful for!  It’s easy to forget, in all of our day-to-day frustrations and trials, just how good life really is.  Some days seem full of nothing but annoyances, and I catch myself wanting out; but this song reminds me to be thankful for the little things and enjoy life right here and now – my own beautiful backyard, the crabapple tree that I’ve climbed so many times that I know every knot and twig, my little siblings playing with Legos (those hurt like nothing else when stepped on in the dark – I don’t have to be thankful for the Legos, but for the dear kiddos who play with them!), Mom’s delicious cooking and last night’s leftovers that become today’s lunch, each time my brother and I have the same thought at the same time, my sister struggling to learn a new song on the piano… every precious little moment that makes life what it is.  Life is changing dramatically over the next couple of months; I’m apprehensive, excited, sad… I have to remind myself not to wish away this life too quickly, because days will come when I will want it back.

Rockin’of the Cradle

(Rodney Atkins)

I wanna live with no excuses, and love with no regrets,

Take the bad with the good, and know I did my best.

Walkin’ in the sunshine and dancin’ in the rain,

From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of that long black limousine.

I came in this world with nothin’, and that’s how I’ll leave someday;

All that I’ll take with me is the love I gave away.

It’s love that makes the difference, from a pauper to a king,

From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of that long black limousine.

I wanna love the life I’m livin’,

And live the life I dream…

From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of that long black limousine.

This is another country song.  I like country songs – sometimes.  Country songs aren’t always depressing – this is a happy, encouraging one that really speaks for itself.  I don’t need to say much about it, except that it reminds me to live life to its fullest.  Say what needs said, do what needs done.  You never know if today might be your last day – or someone else’s.  This keeps me going, keeps me pursuing friendships and caring about people even when it’s hard.  Enjoy life.  Enjoy people.  Live with no excuses, and love with no regrets. 

There.  Now you know me a good deal better than you did a few paragraphs ago.  There are, of course, many more songs that make me sigh or laugh or cry, but this is a pretty good representation of the styles I enjoy and the messages that I find important.  I hope you enjoyed my rant… perhaps you’ll find hope and joy in these songs as well.  The bottom line: live life to its fullest today, and trust God to handle tomorrow.