I’ve recently found a song that plays the strings of my soul like a musician plays an instrument. It happens quite a bit; I’ve dubbed them my “Soul Songs.” Artistic expressions of worship are some of the most powerful tools we have. These expressions also intimately connect us; they supersede words, knowing no physical distance and often spanning centuries. I’m a wordie, so they almost always contain lyrics. I play my soul songs on repeat like a teenager and pray that I never grow out of it. Lyrics of old hymns, the creative expression of God’s unlimited grace, are masterful; always touch and astound me. My current soul song is about three years old. It’s by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton and called “There Was Jesus.” It’s the subject of today’s blog.
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 126:5-6
Sorrow and Seeds
We don’t have to live long to have hopes, dreams, aspirations, or even broken hearts. It’s an inevitable part of life that we work so hard to avoid, but our time might be better used by learning how to deal with them. The worst part is the hopelessness we can feel when we look around and everything’s to be. Everything seems to be shattered like a mirror, pieces and sharp fragments that can cut us as we try to sort through them. Sometimes, as we stand in the middle of the wreckage and look around, we may wonder where God could be. After we are on the other side and healed, we can almost always see that He never left our side. When we give them to God, broken pieces are the seeds He uses to start new and beautiful things.
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
Paying the Price
“There Was Jesus” takes us through variations of states of being and difficulties where we didn’t see Him. No matter what we have done, good or bad, we desperately need God’s forgiveness and grace. His grace and forgiveness are only found in one thing. It’s not our suffering. It’s not in how much or how long we have suffered. God doesn’t look at it and say they’ve suffered enough; I forgive them. Likewise, it’s not based on any good we’ve done either. Only one price could be paid for forgiveness, and only one punishment was acceptable. It had to be done by only one person who did not need forgiveness. That was Jesus.
n Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace
Ephesians 1:7
Let It Wash Over You
So put this long in your ears, and allow the melody and the harmonies to wash over your soul as the lyrics seep deep inside. Be reminded that He’s been there through it all, through the moments we did well and messed up. He was there for our heartbreak, suffering, disappointment, and joys. He was there. Why, no other reason but His love for us. Let that love and grace seep into your soul today, and know He loves you more than you can imagine and He can take the broken pieces and make something beautiful!
