Faithful Journey
In a dream two nights ago, I found myself singing and playing the drums to the 80s hit "Faithfully" by Journey. (Of course in my dream, I sounded exactly like Steve Perry, Journey's lead singer at the time.) When I woke up, I knew it was a Journey song but at the time I couldn't remember how it went or what the title was. Last night, again in my dreams, I remembered that it was "Faithfully." Why was this song coming into my mind?
In my dreams there were certain phrases in the lyrics that jumped out at me and I feel they describe where I am on my journey. (Sidenote: I was offended that the lyrics were listed on an "oldies lyrics" site. I don't want 80s music to be considered "oldies." -- I digress.) For me, the lyrics had less to do with my relationship with my wife (who is the "girl" I love) and more to do with my relationship with my Lord. I feel so distant from Him many days, even though, as a pastor, a professional Christian leader, I am supposed to be close to Him all of the time.
"Highway run, Into the midnight sun, Wheels go round and round, You're on my mind" -- My Christian journey over that last few years has seemed to center around road trips in search of my place in this world. God has been on my mind and the longings of my heart have focused on following Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, but some of the time, regretably, I have gone down the road without Him. This has mostly been because of my "Restless heart," when I would "Sleep alone tonight," because of the distance I put between me and God due to selfishness and disobedience. It would seem as if I were "Sending all my love Along the wire" as I would seek to connect with God in a long distance relationship.
In college, when I began my search of who God was leading me to be and where that would lead, it was just me. I was searching alone in my relationship with God. Then I met Jill, who willingly decided to join me on the road as my wife. Even then, I drug her across the country as I pursued God's will and plan. However, "They say that the road Ain't no place to start a family," and along the way, I have brought our two sons along for the ride. I have prayed more than once, "Dear God, please protect us on this journey." And on we go, the whole family, as I still pursue God's plan for my life (and theirs), wherever that leads.
Sometimes the ministry, especially as a pastor, seems like a "Circus life, Under the big top world ... Always another show." As I find myself "Wondering where I am" and what I am doing, I know that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else. In the midst of the pain, I can always find joy. When I doubt -- myself and God -- I find I have been given the courage to not be afraid, as hard as it to face the pavement one more day. I cry out to God "Lord, I'm 'Lost without you,'" and, somehow I know I am not alone. When God picks me up I "learn to fall in love again" and then "I get the joy of rediscovering" Him in my life. Through tears of love, I praise my Lord and recommit to Him on the journey: "Oh, [God], you stand by me. I'm forever yours, Faithfully."
God's word says this:
Today, I pray that I will live "Faithfully" with God and for God on this leg of my journey.
In my dreams there were certain phrases in the lyrics that jumped out at me and I feel they describe where I am on my journey. (Sidenote: I was offended that the lyrics were listed on an "oldies lyrics" site. I don't want 80s music to be considered "oldies." -- I digress.) For me, the lyrics had less to do with my relationship with my wife (who is the "girl" I love) and more to do with my relationship with my Lord. I feel so distant from Him many days, even though, as a pastor, a professional Christian leader, I am supposed to be close to Him all of the time.
"Highway run, Into the midnight sun, Wheels go round and round, You're on my mind" -- My Christian journey over that last few years has seemed to center around road trips in search of my place in this world. God has been on my mind and the longings of my heart have focused on following Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, but some of the time, regretably, I have gone down the road without Him. This has mostly been because of my "Restless heart," when I would "Sleep alone tonight," because of the distance I put between me and God due to selfishness and disobedience. It would seem as if I were "Sending all my love Along the wire" as I would seek to connect with God in a long distance relationship.
In college, when I began my search of who God was leading me to be and where that would lead, it was just me. I was searching alone in my relationship with God. Then I met Jill, who willingly decided to join me on the road as my wife. Even then, I drug her across the country as I pursued God's will and plan. However, "They say that the road Ain't no place to start a family," and along the way, I have brought our two sons along for the ride. I have prayed more than once, "Dear God, please protect us on this journey." And on we go, the whole family, as I still pursue God's plan for my life (and theirs), wherever that leads.
Sometimes the ministry, especially as a pastor, seems like a "Circus life, Under the big top world ... Always another show." As I find myself "Wondering where I am" and what I am doing, I know that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else. In the midst of the pain, I can always find joy. When I doubt -- myself and God -- I find I have been given the courage to not be afraid, as hard as it to face the pavement one more day. I cry out to God "Lord, I'm 'Lost without you,'" and, somehow I know I am not alone. When God picks me up I "learn to fall in love again" and then "I get the joy of rediscovering" Him in my life. Through tears of love, I praise my Lord and recommit to Him on the journey: "Oh, [God], you stand by me. I'm forever yours, Faithfully."
God's word says this:
Psalms 16 (The Message)Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. I say to God, “Be my Lord!” Without you, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make! Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names. My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell— that’s not my destination! Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.
posted by Sojourner at 11:03 AM
8 Comments:
Good post.
However, I am not of the "Journey" generation, so I will have to check out that song.
Don't you think that church-life in general feels like a circus some of the time? Too many "acts" - too hard to find focus. Maybe it's just me - or "my" church right now.
She doesn't know Journey???? For the love! I bet if she heard the song she might recognize it.
Okay, darnit, I read this post hours ago and as I am working at my desk, I'm not only humming it but I am singing it. Thanks for reminding me of the words. But, also thanks for reminding me of my first love with Him.
Your Sister In Christ,
Tammie
I agree...good post! Tammie is right, Kacole would know the music if she heard it. Sometimes having a sister 10 years younger makes me feel really OLD! But in her defense, she was about G's age when that song came out!
Do you think Kacole would relate better if you wrote about a New Kids on the Block song? You know, like "The Right Stuff"?
By the way, sounding like Steve Perry is fine with me - as long as you don't LOOK like him! I'll take muscular and manly over skinny and wimpy any day! His voice is the only thing he's got going for him!
haha...who's kids? And what song is "The Right Stuff"?
O.K. you guys! Once again I'm reminded of the generation gap. Have any of you ever heard of Bill Hayley, The Supremes, The Platters???
(Twilight Time...Oh, My Goodness!! What you've ALL missed!! "Dancing In the Dark"...to "Twilight Time")
Pastor James, believe me when I say there is no end to 'legs of the journey', and the prayer to live faithfully is never ending. I rely often on Paul's admonition to "press onward and upward".
Philippians 3.
To you, sir, I lift my lighter (cellphone). Rock on, bro!
Hello there...we haven't met but I enjoy your blog. Have you read John Eldredge "The Sacred Romance"? If not...you'd like it. It is a daily walk..that's for sure. Don't you wonder about those dreams? I sure do...
Keep up the blogging...
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