Courageous Music
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a modern worship song that I just know you would love to sing along with. So, join me.
“How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son,
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.”
These are words I most often sing when I am feeling the confines of my wheelchair. Maybe the music is just soothing; it’s just so comforting to your heart. Because when I am hurting, I can quickly forget how deep the Father’s love is for me. When my quadriplegia makes me feel claustrophobic, or it just plain wears me out, I have been tempted at times past to think that God is mad at me for some reason. And almost subconsciously, I’m wondering what I did wrong or I wonder what I must now do right to get through this. It’s why the apostle wrote in Ephesians chapter 3, “May [you] …” – He’s talking to me here, and you – “May [you] have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people …” – get this – “… [may you] grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” I love that verse, because God knows when times get hard, we all need power to remember the depth of the love of Jesus. And a modern hymn like this one brings it all back into focus. And so, I call this hymn not only comforting; I call it brave music; I call it courageous music.
Look, I know you often sludge through seasons when your soul feels dry, your prayer life feels dull, your spirit seems devoid of all life and energy. May I suggest the next time you feel overwhelmed and you’re wondering what you did wrong to deserve such a sad lot in life, chase away those flawed feelings, and get life back into focus by singing to yourself this hymn. And if you need more help, take hold of this prayer written by St. Augustine. He wrote it hundreds of years ago; he said:
“God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; there are days when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely and our souls have lost courage. [Oh, then, God,] flood the path with light; [turn] our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road [to] life, to [Thy] honor and glory. Amen.”
Again, that ancient prayer was written over 1,700 years ago by the early church father, Augustine. But the words? Aren’t they are just as beautiful and meaningful today?
So, tune your heart to brave music, today. Courageous music; music that’s daring enough to convince you that God is not against you when you’re suffering; He’s for you; He’s with you; He’ll never leave or forsake you. So, let God fill your heart with brave music to God’s glory and honor and your comfort. Thanks for listening to Joni and Friends!
*Song: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Stuart Townend, © 1995 Thankyou Music
© Joni and Friends
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