Because I'm naturally cynical and like to play the devil's advocate, I often roll my eyes when I hear people share how they heard the perfect song at the perfect time. But tonight on my way home, I found myself wrestling with some serious things in my heart and mind. And this song came on and it was just right...
This is the stripped down acoustic version, as opposed to the well-produced and faster-paced style that was on the radio. But it's combination of declaration and supplication really spoke to my spirit this evening. May it bless you as well.
I've featured Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae here before. And he is beginning to get wider cultural attention as he emerges as a top musical talent who won't budge on his convictions. His latest album "Anomaly" is an ode to how his life is in current tension as he lives 'in-but-not-of the world' (both the secular and Christian worlds). His latest video is transparent, entertaining, and - in the end - amusing. Seriously, the last 20 seconds made me laugh out loud because it perfectly captures married life. Milford and Warsaw and our area are all fairly suburban/rural/non-urban. So hip-hop may seem out of place to post on this blog, but it is beneficial to be exposed to the diversity of other cultures. Plus this is good music. Enjoy.
Have you ever forgotten about a song you really, really liked? Then when you hear it you think to yourself, 'Man, I totally love this song!' This is one of those songs for me. It has spoken to me during circumstances that were very difficult. It has provided encouragement even during times where things weren't that bad, but weren't rainbows and lollipops either. A famous line from the recent Batman movie, The Dark Knight, goes "the night is always darkest before the dawn", which is a similar idea, though not literally true. But I absolutely love the imagery of this song: "the shadows prove the sunshine", because it is literally true. Shadows exist because there is light behind it all. Difficulties and trials exist for a greater purpose in God's grand scheme of history (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-19). Job's life teaches us this, Joseph had to learn this lesson, as did the OT prophets, and of course Jesus' life is the defining illustration of this principle. Whatever we must endure, we can know without a doubt that the shadows prove the sunshine.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6 belongs in a select group of Bible verses whose content is clear, practical, and fundamental to the Christian faith. Proverbs 1:7 teaches us that wisdom starts with fearing the Lord. Here in chapter three, we learn that the wisest among us are those trust the Lord and not themselves. It is completely natural to seek independence and the ability to make our own decisions. It is completely natural to rely on our own expertise and abilities to navigate the myriad of situations life throws at us. It is completely natural, but completely foolish. First of all, no matter how gifted we are or how well organized our plans are, it is God's will that is going to be established (19:21). His plans are the ones that work out. While it is not completely natural, it is completely essential that we give our plans over to God and surrender to what He wants (16:3-4). Pray and submit your plans, desires, and dreams to the Lord. Lean on him for the help you inevitably need. I've heard some critics say that faith is a 'crutch'. Faith in God isn't a crutch, it's a wheelchair. Our trust must be total, unreserved, and all-encompassing.
