Today's Devotions

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Showcase:Lent

  • Fourth Sunday in Lent - The Man Born Blind by David Hyman +

    Spiritual blindness is the driving theme in this passage from John 9:1-41. But the man born blind is the one Read More
  • Lent Backwards by Julie Moore +

    The Easter buffet at The Carolina Inn is a bounteous feast to follow the fasting of the Lenten season.. Despite the fact that Jesus Read More
  • 1
  • 2

Moving right along with my next attempt to spiritualize an already pretty dang spiritual piece of art: Soul Asylum's Grave Dancer's Union album...

Our sixth song is a driving declaration of resolve with grinding guitars and a speedy, desperate delivery:

GET ON OUT

I gotta get on
I gotta get on out
All these worried troubled thoughts gotta get on out of my head
Gotta get on out of my head

Will I be on the streets tomorrow
Will I have to beg and borrow
Will I have to go back to the job I left behind
Could you still make it
With a guy who never made it
Would you look into my eyes if I were to go blind

Gotta get on
I gotta get on out
All these worried troubled thoughts gotta get on out of my head
Gotta get on out of my head

Now will you leave me for another
Send me running back to mother
Will I have the time to tell you how I really feel
Am I just getting slower
Or are you just talking faster
Do we need bad disaster to make it plain to see

That all these worried troubled thoughts gotta get on out of my head
Gotta get on out of my head

Do I just feel like cryin'
Cause I'm sick and tried of tryin'
Trying to convince you this ain't how it has to be
The ground you walk on's sacred
The sky above awaits you
So cast all your frustrations to the bottomless sea

Gotta get on
Gotta get on out
All these worried troubled thoughts gotta get on out of my head
Gotta get on out of my head

More self-talk from our growing boy. First, he lists his fears and then declares his intention to expel them from his overworking mind. It's no secret that what we tell ourselves can make a big difference. We can go around thinking that we are one step away from disaster, or we can remind ourselves of what is good and hopeful... count our blessings, that kind of thing. Like Paul said:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8)

Jesus telling them not to worry
What's really cool is that this follow quite soon after this line: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God," followed by this result: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

It's like what Jesus said in the famous Sermon on the Mount,
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:31-34)
So... if Jesus were talking to the writer of this song, maybe He would say, "This ain't how it has to be. / The ground you walk on's sacred / The sky above awaits you / So cast all your frustrations to the bottomless sea."

This guy, also, would rather you not worry.
Alternately, when I hear this song, I hear a guy telling his girlfriend about his insecurities, which may or may not be warranted. Maybe he's just paranoid... or maybe she's one of those mercurial folks who never want you to be sure of where you stand. So maybe it is he who is saying, "This ain't how it has to be."

And he's right. Our relationships should not be like this. Sadly, though, they sometimes are... because our relationships are with imperfect human beings. Of course, it's healthier to seek out folks who are steadfast and true, but how can one know before getting involved? Plus, it's the crazy mercurial types who can be so dang exciting to be around!

I'm not really going anywhere with this... just... Our relationships with people are not going to be perfect or perfectly fulfilling... but we should probably try to seek out healthy ones. And ultimately, if I rely on a person or thing (job, money, accomplishments) other than God, the Perfect One... who knows what I need and will never let me go, then I might well feel a tad insecure. But if I fix my mind on Him... well, I have been promised mind-blowing peace... (Plus, He's pretty exciting to be around!)

http://www.bigmouthagain.com/2013/09/the-ground-you-walk-ons-sacred-sky.html

Reflections to Consider

  • 1

Publications

  • 1

Music

  • 1

Audio & Video

  • 1

Favorites

  • Witnesses for Jesus by Tim Keller (Mark 15) +

    Tim Keller discusses the significance of the women and men who saw Jesus die, buried, and resurrected.  Read More
  • Prayer-bringing light into darkness by NT Wright +

    NT Wright discusses the importance of prayer in maintaining a relationship with Jesus. Read More
  • After darkness, light-the reformation by Michael Reeves +

    Michael Reeves discusses the transformative power of bringing Jesus to the world at the heart of the Reformation. Read More
  • The Esther Option-Living in a fallen world by Mike Cosper +

    The following is an excerpt from an article on The Gospel Coalition website. Read More
  • 1

Hidden Blessings

  • Falling in Love With God +

    “falling in love with God,” as Boa’s subtitle for the facet explains. In this approach we attempt to enter into Read More
  • One Holy Fire, Nicky Cruz +

    The introduction to One Holy Fire, Let the Spirit Ignite Your Soul establishes Cruz’s desire to awaken the passion and Read More
  • Transformed +

    Webster defines devotion as “love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity or cause.” How do we fall in love Read More
  • A Christ-Life Through Spiritual Alignment +

    A Christ-Life Through Spiritual Alignment Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. Read More
  • 1