Broken by Joshua Kagen
Broken by Joshua Kagen is a gut-wrenching song expressing the depression of a lonely, heartbroken, and hurting man. He is broken, though he says, “I’m fine.” He is hurting, but he shows no signs.
The second verse has the lines that stood out most to me:
I'm lonely, it's been so long
Since I felt love, to smile, felt strong
And what can I do when I'm not friends with my reflection?
Maybe you know this place of loneliness and sadness. Maybe you can’t remember the last time you were happy or even smiled.
Or maybe you are like that last line — not friends with your reflection. Maybe you are so disappointed with where you are in life that you wonder if it is even worth it.
What do we do in these times?
The chorus of the song offers an option, but it falls short. The chorus calls for someone to “pull me out the fire” and “save me” like they did before. There is help found in friends and even counseling that can combat the unbearable weight of mental illness, but even our best earthly help cannot solve our deepest problems.
Rather than looking only to someone — a spouse, friend, or parent — or something — a job, substance, or experience — to save us, we must look to the One who made us and can heal us. The Creator of the world is the Sustainer of the world. The miracle worker in the Bible has not lost his power today. We must turn to God in these moments of anguish and despair, for he hears, helps, and heals.
I want to end by offering a verse to combat that line about hating our own reflection:
Psalm 139:14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
God made you. In your mother’s womb, he formed your frame, your mind, and your disposition. God does not mess up. Everything God makes is good. God made you as you are for a purpose. You are not a lapse in creative perfection, a gaffe in good purposes, or an aberration among God’s children.
God made you, knows you, loves you, and has not abandoned his purpose for you.
If you are struggling with depression, sadness, loneliness, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, let this be your sign to reach out for help. Responding to this email goes only to me, and I would like to help you on the journey toward mental, physical, and spiritual healing.
Disclaimer: If you feel like you may harm yourself or cannot stay safe, please reach out immediately to someone near you or call/text 988 for immediate help.
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“Mom and Dad” by Darren Kiely
In the song Mom and Dad by Darren Kiely, the listener is brought into the story of a man who struggled from childhood through adolescence. There is a sense that much pain, sorrow, and trouble were brought upon the parents because of the child. Many of us can relate to this.
As the song continues, the son wonders aloud if his parents questioned their choices, doubted their decisions, and were often heartbroken. While the song starts low, the chorus brings us to a joyful crescendo as their hard work has made a difference. “See how I have grown from that strife” reveals that good is coming around and growth has been experienced.
It is a beautiful song, but the following lyrics are what truly stand out to me:
And in the dark those silent evenings
When I spoke, did you hear fight?
And I know you cried, you spoke in secret
You prayed with all your might
Without relent, you never weakened
You held me up each time
If you are a parent, I bet you have experienced the silence, confrontation, tearful prayers, and unrelenting love toward your child. I know I have. My son can make me as angry as anyone in the world, but he can also bring out love in me in a deeper way than nearly anyone else in the world.
Hear these final words:
And I know that you felt worthless
But each word you spoke held purpose
If you questioned were you worthless
Look at me
There is hope. Even when we feel ignored, we are being heard. Even when we feel like we are smothering, love is being received. Even when we say “I love you” too much, it is better than not enough.
Let me end this devotion with two encouragements:
If you are a parent, don’t give up. Keep loving even when it is hard and when it hurts. Be present. Be gracious. Be merciful. Be the hands of God embracing your child!
Whether or not you had that kind of love from a parent, you are loved in this way by your heavenly Father. He never stops, never gives up, and never runs out of love for you. He seeks you, helps you, and desires you.
Luke 15:20, 24 (The Prodigal Son)
And [the wayward son] arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him…
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
YOUTUBE VIIDEO
Better is the End by Tophouse
A few months back, I stumbled upon this group of guys from Montana who are folk, bluegrass, pop, and rock. Outside of this weird combination of genres, I could tell before ever learning more about these guys that they were Christians simply from the purpose and expressions of their lyrics. They describe their music this way: “We thought we'd like to give a little hope and hopefully cause some self-reflection as well.”
Today’s Lyric is from Better Is the End by Tophouse:
Like a stream, into a riverbed
Ocean's round the bend
How better is the end…
If you stick it out you'll find
That better is the end
Like a faith, new when you began
The promise is ahead
How better is the end
Verses:
Ecclesiastes 7:8
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Sometimes it looks like all we are doing is small, mundane things. Trivial. Routine. Insignificant in the grand scheme of life. But did you know those moments of investment now can have great dividends later? In Christ, no act of faithfulness is wasted, and no suffering is final.
We do not know the impact we will have in this life, but we do know the impact of having Jesus. Our life may feel like a stream meandering along quietly out of sight, but our faith in the King of Kings means that we will not simply end. We have hope. We are connected to something bigger, greater, and better!
Better Is the End is a reminder, like those mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, to focus on the better country. Keep perspective that this world is broken, but the next is perfect. This world has suffering and sin; that world to come has God and goodness.
Better is the end is the theme of our Christian walk. No matter how challenging today is, we can proclaim: Better is the end!
“Kingdom of Fear” by Cameron Whitcomb
On Wednesday a few weeks ago, I was alone on an hour-and-a-half flight. I did not have movies to watch or a book to listen to, so I simply turned on my playlist and sang quietly to myself. As I stared out at the vastness of the Great Plains, the lyrics of the songs began to take on deeper meaning. This week, I want to share some lyrics that resonated with me and connect them with Scripture. I am calling this week Unexpected Encouragement because these are not Christian artists or worship songs, but the truths within had spiritual weight for me, and I hope they will for you.
Today’s Song: Kingdom of Fear by Cameron Whitcomb
Lyrics:
Ask me how I've been, I'll say I'm great
But under my skin, I'm not okay
Honey, I've been scared to death, looking in the mirror
Just another day in the kingdom of fear
Ask me how it goes, I'll say I'm fine
But if you look close, I ain't doing alright
Honey, I've been scared to death, wipe away the tears
Just another day in the kingdom of fear
Scripture Verse:
2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
How many of you resonate today with those lyrics?
You are quick to answer “great” and “good,” paint a smile on your face, and act like everything is okay.
Do you have someone to confide in when things are not good? Do you have a trusted friend, confidant, or family member with whom you are willing to be honest?
I said a few weeks ago, hidden things are rarely healthy things. How much longer must you fight these battles alone? How much longer are you going to pretend before you absolutely break?
Not only should we look to a person to help us in this battle against fear, we must look to God! God has not given us a spirit of weakness and fear. Fear, anxiety, depression, and feeling overwhelmed may be very real parts of our lives, but they do not have to be faced alone, and they do not have to be the final word over us. There is help, both medical and spiritual. Do you believe God can bring real comfort and help to your real problems?
Hear these words from What a Friend We Have in Jesus:
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Today, I encourage you to confess your fears, pains, struggles, worries, sadness, and disappointment. Trust that God, who has given us a spirit of power and not fear, hears and helps!
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Worship Start Day 10
Pray this as you start today:
O God, Our God, you are welcome in this place.
As we gather,
may my lips praise You.
may my eyes see You.
may my ears hear You.
may my mind focus on You.
may my heart be changed by You.
This is a sacred moment; change me in it!
I challenge you today to look for the fingerprints of God as you live this ordinary Friday.
This evening, reflect back over your day and see where God answered your prayer.
You may discover that what seemed like an ordinary day became a sacred moment because you invited God into it.