The other day I was pounding out my miles on the treadmill at the Y. I have started to listen to “popular music” while working out because, no disrespect, but I just cannot seem to find the right Christian music to kick my butt into sweat mode.
I had to admit some of the songs brought me to “unholy” places and I started to wonder at my discernment. Then the “unholy” music brought me to a holy moment.
There are sometimes songs that just stick with you, right? (Ask Calista. She’s been bitten by the Frozen bug and just won’t “let it go…” if you know what I mean.) Well there is one song out there “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic.
If you want a head trip, watch their video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT_nvWreIhg
or read lyrics here: http://www.directlyrics.com/onerepublic-counting-stars-lyrics.html
As I ran singing to the music, “Everything that kills me makes me feel alive,” I wondered if I believed that! It seems the song (and the video appears to allude to this) mocks those of us who truly want to follow the rules because it is better for us.
So then I turned OneRepublic on its head. The song could lead me to believe that my obeying God will actually kill my independence. Instead, I’d like to say to the world that submits to that way of thinking: no way.
Everything that the world tells me will kill me might actually empower this lady. What happens if I refuse to listen to the voice that says quit at mile 3? If I refuse to submit to those who say I must buy new jeans? If I say SHUT UP to those who say we have the perfect family of 4, 1 girl and 1 boy, and that DisneyWorld doesn’t do packages for 5?
There are a few choices lately that feel like they are going to kill me. No work outside the house, putting off home improvements and that small thing of adopting our Asker in China. Entering into the pain of orphanages, foreign policies regarding special needs infants and imagining awful abuses can leave me breathless.
But really, when we choose the things that kill us, doesn’t it make us feel alive? Like we are exactly where we are supposed to be?
Seems like Someone Else, fairly famous, said something along the same lines – (no not OneRepublic.) Jesus, “Whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”
The question really is why are we choosing what we choose. Is it for ourselves?
Or is it for Jesus’ sake?
Great post!