That might seem like a strong statement but for most life events or relationship involved situations I have a few songs that I connect with on an emotional and spiritual level. I just get the lyrics and they get me. Like a good friendship. Some songs I just consider friends and a lot of Jars of Clay songs are like that. (It's okay if you think I'm crazy right now, but I hope you know what I mean!) Since Jars was playing at LU last night I’ve been listening to a few of their newer CD’s… repeatedly. All week. 🙂 I had my own agenda of songs I wanted to hear at the concert, you know the ones God’s used to speak to me throughout my life and the ones that have recently confirmed me doing the World Race.
Did they sing the songs with the powerful lyrics that I personally love and longed desperately (Yeah, I admit it) to hear? Nope. No “Two Hands”. No “We Will Follow.” No “Out of my Hands”… [you should probably google the lyrics right now if you don't know them.]
I started talking to God something along the lines of “Father, you know how the words of those 3 songs have worked their way into my heart and life. Can you make them play them? I need peace and affirmation tonight. Why are they playing the songs I used to listen to in high school and not MY songs?” I'm so thankful for a Father who still listens to me, attitude and all.
A few minutes later Dan (the lead singer, I doubt he knows I’m on a first name basis with him…) started talking to the prospective and current college students about education and knowledge. I immediately felt old and was only kind of paying attention. He joked about how college is where you learn everything, and then you spend the rest of your life applying or forgetting it. I decided to actually pay close attention around that point. Then he went on to talk about the power that young adults have, how our decisions can have a major effect (politics, media, finances) and we need to be aware of this and the situations in the world. He talked about how education is often tied with comfort and security. We go to school to be able to get better jobs to be able to give ourselves a better life. This usually leads to more comfort and protection from the outside world… the problems and issues going on outside of our box: the aids epidemic in Swaziland, the restoration process in Haiti, the lack of clean water in many countries, etc. He ended with, “What would it look like if you took your power and education and went and saw what was going on in the world rather than using your situation to protect yourself from it.”
When I first heard the song “Two Hands” a couple of years ago it got to me. I related it to some things going on with me at the time and felt guilty. I saw the inconsistencies in my life. Did I do anything about it? Nope.
Now, I think about the precious people in Swaziland that I spent such a short time with. I think about my naivety. The bubble I’ve willingly kept myself in. My sin. The years I’ve spent using my two hands to try to serve myself and God at the same time. The mess I’ve made. The fact that I only have one life to live here on earth. It’s overwhelming.
"I use one hand to pull you closer, the other to push you away.
If I had two hands doing the same thing lifted high, lifted high…
And if we just keep digging we can reach the foundation of our souls
and if we just keep cutting all the chains from our hearts, we'll lose control.
And it feels like giving in and it feels like starting over it feels like waking up and you know it's coming
it feels like a brand new day, open your eyes…"
So, they never played ‘Two Hands’ BUT they did play “Worlds Apart” near the end of the set. I have probably heard that song 100+ times in my life but, I knew God was speaking to me, “Are you listening to the words that are coming out of your mouth as you sing along? Alison, are you really willing to mean this?”
"…So steal my heart and take the pain
Take the selfish, take the weak
And all the things I cannot hide
Take the beauty, take my tears
Take my world apart…
And I pray,
To love you – take my world apart
To need you – I am on my knees
To love you – take my world apart
To need you – broken on my knees"
Has the Lord used songs to work in your life?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFj17GYJEj0 (Lyric video for Worlds Apart. I can't figure out how to add two videos to one post. Fail. You should def. go listen though… even if you've been listening to this song since you were like 7…)
