Aside from its driving beat, complex rhythms and “Ruckeresque” vocals Avicii’s rousing pop tune “Wake Me Up” carries a line that drove it deep into my soul. Music has for as long as I can remember been the backdrop of my life. As young as four years old I can recall the visceral reactions to music, and maybe more specifically, lyrics, that became voice for me, narrating my life and times – fear, confusion, pain, confusion, more fear, more confusion…
I was a traumatized child. Some of my experiences, though not at all unique to just me, but traumatic none the less serve to remind me what a miracle it is that I found and embraced Christ as the redeemer of my soul. As well, it reminds me of the true purpose, and personality of Christ as our friend, brother, and redeemer. Better said, I grew up in the shadow of Jesus Christ. Even as my family seemed to boil in a brothy soup of trauma, we were also ever simmering in the rich goodness of faith and spirituality like the best Sunday dinner roast there ever could be. Jesus didn’t stop my childhood suffering; he didn’t lessen its impacts either. He waited for the perfect moments to step out of the shadows around me and redeem.
He waited and embraced me then, when I could finally lift my tear-streaked face, lift my burdened shoulders and bare my tattered spirit into his presence. I don’t exactly remember our first conversation, but I imagine that when he asked me, “What happened? Why are you so low? Why do you cry? Music came to the rescue! I imagine we both heard the strike of the band and a musical prelude as I found my voice to respond in song with Avicii’s lyrics,
I tried carrying the weight of the world
But I only have two hands
I hope I get the chance to travel the world
But I don't have any plans
And I know Jesus heard the music, received those telling lyrics and knew exactly where I was coming from. And he’s been with me in music, song and dance ever since, navigating the times of my life as the beat goes on.
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