Tuesday, June 7, 2011

God in the dark.


We all have walked through darkness in our lives. Moments where we knew uninvited difficulties had arrived. The knowing that the unimaginable could not be circumvented and that it must be endured. In the midst of those times, it is tempting to doubt that God is there. He is.

I recently gave a talk on the realities of Human Trafficking. To prepare, I tried to imagine what it was like to be a small child being abused by an adult. Not just once but repeatedly. I simply do not have words to describe what it must be like.

The thought of being forsaken, where there is simply no cry for help being heeded leaves only the dullest of aches in my heart. I am certain it is what Christ endured on the cross. I know he identifies with all who are in darkness and whose cries fade into echoes and blackness.

I do not have a tidy or articulate word to offer. Save that God is with each of us. Even the child described previously. I do not understand it. But I know He is there.

The song "O Blessed Child" is one I came to learn recently. It without question captures the essence of what I am attempting to say. I'll leave this open ended and only offer you the chance to listen and contemplate. Let God assure you...He is with you always. He is with every forsaken little one on our planet.

Listen to "O Blessed Child" and rest your heart and let us pray for each other and the children.

God's grace,
john

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Birdsongs



I guess there is some science as to why birds sing. Smart people study things like this. Apparently in the spring and in the morning it can be a way for the male to attract a mate or tell other birdbrains "this is my territory." I am going to choose to express my subjective, non-scientific reason. Birds sing because God made them to. And going way out on a limb here, I choose to believe God knew that humans would find joy in the sounds of a birdsong. Hence, finding encouragement.

As a musician, I sure understand how circumstances can steal a tune from the heart. There have been times when I wanted to "hang it up" and not play or sing. I think of a time in the bible when God's people were in captivity. They sat down by a river and wept and hung up their harps. They surrendered their songs to discouragement (Psalm 137). Man! I have been there!

Amidst a torrent of the unwelcome and unexpected, this musician has stopped singing. This morning before sunrise, I walked in DC and was greeted and treated to the sounds of birdsongs coming from freshly bloomed dogwood trees. I felt hope. I felt jealous. I have always admired birds for their carefree, "I am singing even if you are having a bad life" attitude! Even wrote a song about it called "Outta Here."

Time to take the harp off the wall and join these feathery band mates in the singing...and never stop. I think it's what you and I were made to do.

tweet, tweet!
john