Bonairos
Member
He was going through one of, if not the toughest time of his life. It was the type of season where he would have to reach deep if he was to survive through this. Places deep within himself where there hung a self-portrait with all the emotions attached to it. A painting reflecting himself. Regardless of how it came to be, it was a work to be studied without any self-excusing narratives.
Deep within every individual there’s a portrait depicting who we are hanging in the galleries of our soul. It’s always on display but is rarely viewed because of the cost involved to do so. The price is being honest with one’s self; for better or for worse.
It was during this time he heard the song, “Frankie’s First Affair†for the first time. It’s about a man beaten at his own game or at least that’s the message he got. The music captured him - both in its’ rhythm and lyrics. And this is to say nothing of the vocals being performed by the jazz artist Sade. He felt as if the music was imitating his life, revealing who he was or at the very least, who he had become. He questioned where was God in all of this?!
Funny how a certain song can take us back in time. It reminds us of feelings we may have had at the moment. Subconsciously we interact with music we hear. A tune comes over the store speakers and now there’s a skip in our steps, a twinkle in our eyes, a smile on our lips. Often times it’s a memory that does it. Music can be an amazing thing; it moves you.
Some songs and sounds can also bring with it a memory of the not so good times we all experience. Yet, as life goes on, we find that those particular songs have become therapeutic when heard again. I don’t mean to imply the memory changes in any way; often that tends to remain the same. But realizing that we are no longer there, we came out of it and we survived. We acknowledge that whatever happened then; happened then. Today is today - We’ve been set free from the past.
“This too shall pass†is a quote often repeated; especially in Christian circles. Some say it in jest, some in hope. I remember hearing the story about Thomas, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. He is often referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas’ because when he was told that Jesus rose from the dead, he replied, “Unless I see His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.â€
Some called it lack of faith because of his response. As for me, I see him as being real with himself and the challenges he was facing. I’m sure Thomas wanted to believe when he heard the news. Believing would have once again given him hope. We all can appreciate hope being a breath of fresh air during troubling times.
Yet, who can say for certain the internal challenges this follower of Jesus faced? Who knows how deep his wounds ran after seeing his Faith being put to death and buried before his very eyes?! Without such knowledge of any follower of Christ, it would be hardly fair to ostracize, to even typecast someone as a doubter or an unbeliever because his faith was shaken deep within. Often times even the most sincere people can come to conclusions without knowing all that is involved. We make assumptions based on our (limited) experiences and expect others to respond accordingly.
Perhaps Thomas (like ourselves) was only seeking concrete answers to the contradictions that swarmed his mind; inconsistencies that led to the point of questioning his God. I can hear him telling the other disciples,“Okay, okay, I hear what you're saying, and you’re probably right, but right now, right where I’m at . . . I really thought . . . I whole-heartedly believed . . . I, . . . . but God? . . . Is this how it is? . . . Why? What do I do now?!†Yeah, having been there myself, I would say Thomas was being real.
Then we see Jesus coming on the scene. Straight forward and to the point of Thomas’ doubts and fears. “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side." Wow! What do you say to that when God reads your mail and gets to the heart of the matter without judgments?! Thomas must’ve received a newfound perspective of God for he immediately said, “My Lord and my God!†Something happened when Thomas saw the Lord in the midst of all his confusion.
God knows exactly what’s going on in our lives. He knows when we’ve got faith and He knows when we’re struggling. And still, He meets us where we’re at and speaks directly to our paralysis, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing." It’s like He’s saying, “I’ve got you, I’ve got your back . . . This too (whatever it is that got you in a turmoil) shall pass!†After all, Jesus knows pain. He knows hurt. He knows torment.
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy hearing people give a testimony of how God answered their prayers and gave them the victory. I praise God for what He’s done in their lives. But when I’m going through a challenge, a struggle in my faith, I’ll be more apt to identify when I also see the road it took to triumph. I mean it’s good that He’s brought you out, but share with me some of the scars you have so that I know you can relate to my turmoil. I guess that’s what Thomas was saying, “I need to see some scars (that I can relate to) if I am to believe.†Jesus showed Thomas the scars He endured because of the Cross and Thomas believed.
The Lord willingly displays His scars if it’ll keep us trusting in Him. If we’re real with Him (and ourselves) in our frustrations, He’ll be straight and to the point with our concerns. His desire is that we all rest in Him; free from all that seeks to entangle us.
“This too shall pass.†It’s not just a cliché, nor just pretty words. It’s a hope we have in God. And just as we survived challenges in times past, we’ll do so again. By keeping our eyes on, and being real with Jesus, we’ll come out of every situation just as Thomas did; with a newfound faith. And when we do, we have a Comforter who removes the sting of it all.
I think I’ll listen to music. Why not? It’s therapeutic when I realize He is with me. Especially when viewing the self-portrait deep within.
Be blessed, Stay blessed!
Deep within every individual there’s a portrait depicting who we are hanging in the galleries of our soul. It’s always on display but is rarely viewed because of the cost involved to do so. The price is being honest with one’s self; for better or for worse.
It was during this time he heard the song, “Frankie’s First Affair†for the first time. It’s about a man beaten at his own game or at least that’s the message he got. The music captured him - both in its’ rhythm and lyrics. And this is to say nothing of the vocals being performed by the jazz artist Sade. He felt as if the music was imitating his life, revealing who he was or at the very least, who he had become. He questioned where was God in all of this?!
Funny how a certain song can take us back in time. It reminds us of feelings we may have had at the moment. Subconsciously we interact with music we hear. A tune comes over the store speakers and now there’s a skip in our steps, a twinkle in our eyes, a smile on our lips. Often times it’s a memory that does it. Music can be an amazing thing; it moves you.
Some songs and sounds can also bring with it a memory of the not so good times we all experience. Yet, as life goes on, we find that those particular songs have become therapeutic when heard again. I don’t mean to imply the memory changes in any way; often that tends to remain the same. But realizing that we are no longer there, we came out of it and we survived. We acknowledge that whatever happened then; happened then. Today is today - We’ve been set free from the past.
“This too shall pass†is a quote often repeated; especially in Christian circles. Some say it in jest, some in hope. I remember hearing the story about Thomas, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. He is often referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas’ because when he was told that Jesus rose from the dead, he replied, “Unless I see His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.â€
Some called it lack of faith because of his response. As for me, I see him as being real with himself and the challenges he was facing. I’m sure Thomas wanted to believe when he heard the news. Believing would have once again given him hope. We all can appreciate hope being a breath of fresh air during troubling times.
Yet, who can say for certain the internal challenges this follower of Jesus faced? Who knows how deep his wounds ran after seeing his Faith being put to death and buried before his very eyes?! Without such knowledge of any follower of Christ, it would be hardly fair to ostracize, to even typecast someone as a doubter or an unbeliever because his faith was shaken deep within. Often times even the most sincere people can come to conclusions without knowing all that is involved. We make assumptions based on our (limited) experiences and expect others to respond accordingly.
Perhaps Thomas (like ourselves) was only seeking concrete answers to the contradictions that swarmed his mind; inconsistencies that led to the point of questioning his God. I can hear him telling the other disciples,“Okay, okay, I hear what you're saying, and you’re probably right, but right now, right where I’m at . . . I really thought . . . I whole-heartedly believed . . . I, . . . . but God? . . . Is this how it is? . . . Why? What do I do now?!†Yeah, having been there myself, I would say Thomas was being real.
Then we see Jesus coming on the scene. Straight forward and to the point of Thomas’ doubts and fears. “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side." Wow! What do you say to that when God reads your mail and gets to the heart of the matter without judgments?! Thomas must’ve received a newfound perspective of God for he immediately said, “My Lord and my God!†Something happened when Thomas saw the Lord in the midst of all his confusion.
God knows exactly what’s going on in our lives. He knows when we’ve got faith and He knows when we’re struggling. And still, He meets us where we’re at and speaks directly to our paralysis, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing." It’s like He’s saying, “I’ve got you, I’ve got your back . . . This too (whatever it is that got you in a turmoil) shall pass!†After all, Jesus knows pain. He knows hurt. He knows torment.
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy hearing people give a testimony of how God answered their prayers and gave them the victory. I praise God for what He’s done in their lives. But when I’m going through a challenge, a struggle in my faith, I’ll be more apt to identify when I also see the road it took to triumph. I mean it’s good that He’s brought you out, but share with me some of the scars you have so that I know you can relate to my turmoil. I guess that’s what Thomas was saying, “I need to see some scars (that I can relate to) if I am to believe.†Jesus showed Thomas the scars He endured because of the Cross and Thomas believed.
The Lord willingly displays His scars if it’ll keep us trusting in Him. If we’re real with Him (and ourselves) in our frustrations, He’ll be straight and to the point with our concerns. His desire is that we all rest in Him; free from all that seeks to entangle us.
“This too shall pass.†It’s not just a cliché, nor just pretty words. It’s a hope we have in God. And just as we survived challenges in times past, we’ll do so again. By keeping our eyes on, and being real with Jesus, we’ll come out of every situation just as Thomas did; with a newfound faith. And when we do, we have a Comforter who removes the sting of it all.
I think I’ll listen to music. Why not? It’s therapeutic when I realize He is with me. Especially when viewing the self-portrait deep within.
Be blessed, Stay blessed!