I’m a real sucker for good driving songs. Like the ones you put on a playlist for road trips? I’m also a sucker for songs that overwhelm with overarching, big-picture truths rolled into one glorious tune.

One of my new favorite songs that I have been listening to for a while is “Farther Along” by Josh Garrels. The tune is so simple, but the lyrics are so real and raw. They begin with:

“Farther along we’ll know all about it. Farther along we’ll understand why. So cheer up my brothers. Live in the sunshine.”

This song is a story that encourages us people who may feel like castaways, deadweight, or a burden to look forward to whats ahead because we are only here for a second. Life can change in an instant. We can either live in the moment or get stuck in the past. This song describes how we may be feeling in times of struggle and then goes on to saying “there is so much more life then we’ve been told, it’s full of beauty that will unfold”. Like I said before, I love songs with a deep meaning and this one is just that.

Just like songs, Paul has been able to convey so much meaning in the Gospel. He wasn’t afraid to write the truth and his feelings. Paul built his most complete and elegant composition of what the gospel truly is in Romans – which took 16 chapters!! He ended the 11th chapter saying, “Who could ever wrap their minds around the riches of God, the depth of his wisdom, and the marvel of his perfect knowledge? Who could ever explain the wonder of his decisions or search out the mysterious way he carries out his plans?…For out of him, the sustainer of everything, cam everything, and now everything finds fulfillment in him. May all praise and honor be given to him forever! Amen!”

Even though its just words, you can hear the emotion and projection that he puts into the last sentence. Paul is actually unable to wrap his head around who God is and what He has done for us.

Music is our way to express what we are feeling, just like Paul was able to show his emotions through written words. Music can be our way of connecting it all. It’s our link to the truth that God has revealed. We are able to feel a rush of reality and an overwhelming joy of our salvation if we take such a big step back until we see as much as we can bare to fathom. This is when music binds and energizes the spiritual world in ways that are far greater than anything else.

I know that this could possibly be off topic but one thing I noticed when writing this is that we need to have a voice. If we love something enough then why don’t we project it like Paul did or how a song does?? Instead we either get embarrassed of it or get nervous. If we really care about something then show people. Don’t hide it. You only live once (and yes I know that’s an overused statement but it’s the truth). We can’t let any other humans control our lives. That wouldn’t really be fair for both sides. Well for one, we wouldn’t be able to make our own decisions. And two, the poor lad would be stuck making decisions for two people and that would be stressful. (Sorry that was suppose to be funny but I guess it really isn’t). But what I am getting at is that we have to have a voice. So I guess my question for you today is: what is your voice? Mine is writing on this blog. For Paul, it was preaching and writing many chapters in the Bible. And I guess you can figure out what it is for Josh Garrels (if you don’t remember, that’s the artist of the song I was talking about earlier).

Just remember, if you are in class, stick in there because the semester will be over soon. And if you aren’t in class, then just stick in there. Life will get better I promise.

As always, love,

Emily

(p.s. I really hope you enjoy that flash back. If you want a laugh, just look at Sarah giving the thumbs up!!)