I have a new favorite song - well, it's one of many new favorites! - called "Hold Us Together" by Matt Maher.
Truth is, I am always first attracted by the music, not the message (I think this is a Holy Spirit thing). People who know my style will hear this song and know why I love it. It's that laid back style of music that almost plays itself; I know how my hands will feel when I play it. It's also a song that makes me think I can sing, and that's sort of dangerous.
Once the sound attracts me, I start to look for the message, which is not always only about the lyrics but also about the story and the storyteller. More about that in a future post.
In the case of this song, I was drawn to the line "And I'll be my brother's keeper so the whole world will know that we're not alone."
Why that line?
Because EVERY time I turned on my car for two solid weeks that was the line that was playing. No lie. Two solid weeks. Live radio.
My response: YES, LORD, I AM TOTALLY LISTENING.
Meanwhile I'm hearing a story from a friend that makes my heart ache. I can't hear or see or know about suffering and remain unaffected. I had to watch the Boston Marathon Bombings in small batches and not at work because I am so stricken by grief when I see suffering like that. Multiply that a thousand-fold when it affects friends. I inhabit my friends' sufferings.
Add to that the fact that I have tried to be the keeper-of-my-"brothers" in the past and it cost me a friendship I valued. What I said was right and true, but the friend didn't want to hear the truth or look at me after ignoring my advice and after realizing that everything I said was Truth. I'm sure I look like shame and guilt, and that was never my intent. I don't want to lose another friendship I value.
I talked with my therapist about the whole issue. How could I avoid it? It was the only thing on my mind for a couple months.
Know what she said? Other people's choices are not my concern. It's my job to listen and be a friend. Support. Comfort. Etc.
Yikes. I've been wrong all this time.
And what's with the song?
Am I my brother's keeper? Or am I a friend?
Are those things mutually exclusive?
Is a coincidence really just a coincidence or is it a message?
Truth is, I am always first attracted by the music, not the message (I think this is a Holy Spirit thing). People who know my style will hear this song and know why I love it. It's that laid back style of music that almost plays itself; I know how my hands will feel when I play it. It's also a song that makes me think I can sing, and that's sort of dangerous.
Once the sound attracts me, I start to look for the message, which is not always only about the lyrics but also about the story and the storyteller. More about that in a future post.
In the case of this song, I was drawn to the line "And I'll be my brother's keeper so the whole world will know that we're not alone."
Why that line?
Because EVERY time I turned on my car for two solid weeks that was the line that was playing. No lie. Two solid weeks. Live radio.
My response: YES, LORD, I AM TOTALLY LISTENING.
Meanwhile I'm hearing a story from a friend that makes my heart ache. I can't hear or see or know about suffering and remain unaffected. I had to watch the Boston Marathon Bombings in small batches and not at work because I am so stricken by grief when I see suffering like that. Multiply that a thousand-fold when it affects friends. I inhabit my friends' sufferings.
Add to that the fact that I have tried to be the keeper-of-my-"brothers" in the past and it cost me a friendship I valued. What I said was right and true, but the friend didn't want to hear the truth or look at me after ignoring my advice and after realizing that everything I said was Truth. I'm sure I look like shame and guilt, and that was never my intent. I don't want to lose another friendship I value.
I talked with my therapist about the whole issue. How could I avoid it? It was the only thing on my mind for a couple months.
Know what she said? Other people's choices are not my concern. It's my job to listen and be a friend. Support. Comfort. Etc.
Yikes. I've been wrong all this time.
And what's with the song?
Am I my brother's keeper? Or am I a friend?
Are those things mutually exclusive?
Is a coincidence really just a coincidence or is it a message?
Comments
Post a Comment