And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
There is always going to be trouble in our way, but no matter what we’re going through, God is still in control.
Our struggles might be weighing our shoulders down, but we don’t have to carry the weight of the world when we could give our burdens to Jesus, and He’ll fix it.
So, keep your eyes on Jesus, and hang on, for better days are coming.
Stepped, stepped in the furnace a long time ago
Shadrech, Meshach and Abendigo
No, they were not worried, oh, this I know
They knew that Jesus will fix it after while
Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes
Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes
I lay awake at night, but that’s alright
I know my Jesus will fix it after while
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I grew up listening to the music of my father. That means Otis Redding, Al Green, Percy Sledge, and of course, Michael Jackson. Later on, I’ll adopt Ben E. King (The Drifters) and Bill Withers as favorites. They don’t make voices like these anymore. Mr. Withers passed away on March 30, 2020, from heart complications, but his golden voice lives on through his music.
Bill served in the army for 9 years. During this time, he overcame his stutter and got into songwriting and singing. These are my favorite songs from him:
Lovely Day
This timeless masterpiece will always be a favorite of mine! Bill’s voice and ridiculous note holding towards the end (almost 19 seconds!) of the song grabbed my intention when I first heard it. This song helped me through some bad times and I knew God was talking to me, telling me that I should be more appreciative of the days He has gifted me with for no matter how many challenges I face, I’ll always have Him by my side (which brings me to the other song below). It’s the perfect song for a Sunday morning.
Worship Jesus and every day will be a lovely day.
Lean On Me
This song always brings a smile to my face. It also reminds me of another favorite song of mine, “Will You Be There” by MJ. God didn’t create us to be alone. We’re meant to be in communication with others (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). The central focus of this song is friendship and putting away pride when it comes to asking for help for at some point in our lives, we might just need help and it’s okay to ask for it because one day, I might be the one who needs someone to be there for me.
In these trying times, we need someone to lean on. We can always count on and lean on Jesus no matter how difficult a trial we might be facing.
BONUS: Ain’t No Sunshine
It’s not exactly an upbeat song, but I love Bill’s voice on this track. This was the song that made me recognize Bill. The lyrics are there for interpretation, but it seems like it’s about an older man in love with a younger woman. I don’t exactly like cover songs, but if it’s done right, I’ll appreciate it and I did just that when I heard MJ’s version.
There’ll be always sunshine even if it’s dark and gloomy if we walk with the Sun of Righteousness.
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
It’s not warm when she’s away
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And she’s always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
Ain’t no sunshine when you’re gone, Bill Withers. Thank you for all of the lovely days and the good music.
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The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
Fear is not a word that Christians should cling to. Unfortunately, we live in a world that forsakes God and feeds off the fear, so we tend to panic which solves absolutely nothing.
As soon as we feel the fear festering around us, we should quell it by directly putting our trust in God. He is a pillar of strength in these times, and He’ll carry us over that bridge and get us safely to the other side of the stormy waters. And if you don’t have the words to say? Just say Jesus for there is power in His holy Name!
When I am afraid, I will trust in you In God whose word I praise.
In God I trust, when I am afraid.
In God I trust, in God whose word I praise
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
“No Charge” demonstrates God’s love in action. When we love others without expecting anything in return, we’re showcasing what it means to truly give love. I love sister Shirley Caesar’s version the most for I love that she recalled Jesus’ sacrifice to humanity as the moral.
“The cost of real love is no charge.”
I came to know this song through my mom. She loved this song a lot and growing up and over time, it made me appreciate her more.
For the nine months I carried you holding you inside me no charge For the nights I sat up with doctored you and prayed for you no charge For the time and tears and the costs through the years There is no charge When you add it all up the full cost of my love is no charge
For God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to come here and die for us. There was no charge when He died for us because it was done purely out of love.
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Staying with songs that deal with or reflect on the parental relationship, here’s another one that can make your heart weep. In this song, the singer ponders over time spent with his little boy, which was next to nothing for work was more important. He missed the important milestones in his son’s life including his first words and when he first learned to walk.
The dad was so busy that he couldn’t spare time to spend with his son. Eventually, his son grew up, became a man and had his own family, and what do you know? He wants to spend time with his son, but the son is too busy to even see him and thus, the singer muses that his son ended up becoming just like him. Some people think the last verse has nothing to do with the way the son grew up. Looking at it from another angle, I think the son grew up resenting his father for not spending enough time with him and he vowed not to be that kind of father when he has children of his own. But in doing so, he is in danger of ending up like his father, so the singer is right when he said his son became just like him.
This song can hit right in the feels. It’s a cautionary tale about spending time with your children and not taking it for granted, for before we know it, time flies, and no amount of money could ever buy it back.
What I must say is genius though, is the usage of nursery rhymes during the chorus. The son is represented by “the cats in the cradle” (he’s at home) and the father is the “silver spoon” (he’s away making the money for the bills to be paid). The distance between the father and the son is analogized in “little boy blue and the man on the moon”.
My son turned ten just the other day He said, thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play Can you teach me to throw, I said, not today I got a lot to do, he said, that’s okay And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed It said, I’m gonna be like him, yeah You know I’m gonna be like him
Parents are the first role models for children so be good ones for them to emulate. Also, quality time is very important.
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“The Living Years” by Mike + the Mechanics is one of those songs that always make me stop and reflect on all my relationships across the board especially the ones with my parents for we’re to honor and love them all the days of our lives (Exodus 20:12). This song has been on my heart lately. I first heard it when I was younger and it made me upset, angry, and sad for whatever reason. I guess I was going through emotions back then, but as an adult, I understand it better now.
This song explores regret when our parents have passed on and why we should have a relationship with them while they’re yet alive. We ought to listen and not just speak. Life is too short to harbor grudges, to point fingers and for misunderstandings. The song is full of so much love and so much regret that it’s super emotional, but not in an over the top way. The singer grieves his way through this song that it’s impossible for it to not tug at the heartstrings.
Don’t leave things unsaid. Let people know you care. Let them know you love them. Hold your loved ones a little longer. Kiss them and bless them. This song made me appreciate my loved ones even more than I could’ve understood back then.
I wasn’t there that morning When my Father passed away I didn’t get to tell him All the things I had to say
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Too much!
Excessively!
More than words can say or we can ever comprehend!
God loves us so much that He sent His only Son into this wicked world to be a sacrifice for the salvation of humanity. This self-sacrificial love can explain itself, yet, we still cannot comprehend why or how much He loves us. And we’ll never be able to come to a sufficient or pleasing answer because we’re unworthy.
So why does God love us? Simple. He is love (1 John 4:8,16). The essence of His being is love and because He loves, we can love for He first loved us. He loves the sinner (but hates the sin) hence why we can come to Him as we are, so He can forgive us of rebelling against Him and make us clean.
His love is not limited for it has no beginning or end.
Reflect on His love today and thank Him for loving you.
Your love is kind Your love is patient You fill my heart With so much peace and joy
Jesus You love me too much ooo Too much ooo, too much ooo Excess love ooo
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This song was written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. Jackson-Miller was in a rough place in her life: she had been suicidal after the failure of a marriage. This song was written later on after she discovered the “life-saving joy of God’s peace and unconditional love.” (via Wikipedia). Although the song is played worldwide throughout the year, it was originally written for the International Children’s Choir.
I recall singing this song a lot during my primary school days when it was time for assembly. Back then, it didn’t mean anything to me; it was just a song we had to sing before heading to class.
Before we can be at peace with others, we need to be at peace with ourselves first.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Romans 12:18
Let here be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
This version is sung by Vince Gill and his daughter.
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For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
Psalm 18:28
We are the light of the world. People shouldn’t see us, but Jesus whenever we go out into the world on His behalf to spread the Good News, to minister to others and to do kind deeds. You are the light of the world; what are YOU reflecting? Where are you shining the light of the world?
May the candle of Christ never go out in your life and may it continually be lit until His return.
Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world
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From time to time I’ll be exploring music outside of the Gospel genre as I previously stated earlier in the year. There are songs that I love and songs that I’ll like to discuss if time permits. Today, I share a song that’s very dear to me: “Peace” by Depeche Mode. I talked about this song a few times on here and how it helped me on my journey of peace last year. It’s about letting go of the past, anger, hatred, etc. in order to allow peace to manifest within your being.
I’m leaving bitterness behind
This time I’m cleaning up my mind
There is no space for the regrets
I will remember to forget
Peace will come to me
This song has brought so much peace to me over time! What song brings YOU peace?
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