The Song That Never Ends
“I am merely at the midway point in the novel of my own life. On around page 250 of a 500-page tale, maybe even 200. There’s no reason why the next 250, 300, or even 350 pages will not be far more exciting than the first half.”
― Ray Smith, The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen
Life is often a heroic story, an adventure towards an unknown future with multiple turns laced with songs we wish we could forget. These songs echo through cavernous memories ranging from joy-love to lack-regret. Leaving us at times singing a song that has no end. (cue Lamb Chop’s Play-Along with its host Shari Lewis — it genuinely makes me smile knowing only a few of you will get this reference.¹)
One of the most torturous songs plays when we are in a place of lack — those seasons when we’ve been searching and keep coming up short. Locked in our houses and hidden behind a mask; trapped in a cycle of no’s — you’ve been there, haven’t you? Drained and left looking into the mirror, wondering — who is this staring back at me? Contrary to this reality, some songs orchestrate our places of bounty. We have feasted at the table of rest and even drank in the sweet waters of bliss. We’ve loved the security and rejoiced in the spontaneous blessings. Both rooms in our minds are places where God dwells, and we can learn about His nearness throughout the Bible. These emotions are especially highlighted in Psalm 86 (The Passion Translation)².
“God, there’s no one like you; there’s no other god as famous as you. You outshine all others, and your miracles make it easy to know you. You are the one and only God. What miracles! What wonders! What greatness belongs to you! Teach me more about you, how you work, and how you move so that I can walk onward in your truth until everything within me brings honor to your name. With all my heart and passion, I will thank you, my God! I will give glory to your name, always and forever!”
This type of praise is easy. When God showers us with blessings, it is easy to say thank you. We want to live in those moments forever. We want to live where streams of abundance flow — when all is well, it’s easy to say: “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” However, Psalm 86 doesn’t begin with joy. It starts with David, a writer and musician, whose overwhelmed and stressed out. He finds himself crying out in a prayer of faith. He says these words:
Lord, listen to me — I am in deep trouble.
I’m broken and humbled, and I desperately need your help.
I turn to you in faith, my God, my hero; come and rescue me!
God, won’t you pay attention to this urgent cry? Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer.
In this Psalm, we find our encouragement that our Christian journey is sometimes a mix of “the good and the bad.” Blessings and darkness.
Stop for a second: Where is God shining down on your life right now? Take time to thank Him for it! Praise Him in all His glory!
Let’s pause again: Where are you suffering right now? Thank God for that struggle.
Pray that you can see His eternal perspective through it all. Trust in His perfect will. During the good times and the bad. Is it easy? Certainly not, but I can at least try. Paul reminds us, “Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer and, in everything, be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Praise God this week, knowing He is behind it all.
I would love to hear your thoughts about your life’s good, bad, and ugly. Reply and comment with a prayer or praise in your life right now.
