I've noticed that sometimes I'll listen to a song, and find myself wondering what inspired the artist to write it. When I write a song, it usually is rooted in an experience or passion of mine, and there's usually a story behind it.
Throughout the next few days/weeks I'll be writing about the Inspiration/story behind some of my songs, in hope to perhaps inspire you, or maybe even create a forum for you to share your thoughts on the subject. I pray they bless you.
I'll start with the song
CONSIDER IT JOY:
You may recognize that the main lyric is taken from James 1:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." The song, though, really comes to fruition through the difficult application of this verse in my life.
When I was in high school, my family went through a season of trials. My Mother was deep within her battle with breast cancer, while my Father needed to spend the week working 4 hours away, in order to cover bills and medical expenses. I remember being on "independent studies" while I took care of my younger sister during the week. The most trying part of this season, though, comes with news that nobody wants to receive.
We had adopted a little boy named Michael at age 2. When he was about 4 or 5, we received news that he was most likely HIV positive (contracted from his biological parents). The test confirmed. Throughout the next few years he went through treatments. These treatments would eventually bankrupt my parents. As time went on, the disease grew worse and we needed to admit him to a Hospice home, in order for him to receive proper care. We would see him very often, but the hardest part was not taking him home when he cried as we left. One day, while my Dad was away working, my Mom got the call that no parent wants to get. Michael had passed away after an ongoing fight with pneumonia.
This really hit our family hard, but the thing that got me through was the hope that trials can remind us of, and brings us to. Romans 5 says
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
There's no greater hope than the hope we have in Jesus Christ - the hope of Heaven. Trials WILL come, and character will be produced. We live in an imperfect world, but we serve a perfect God. He will see you through. I hope this song will be a helpful reminder, that when you are faced with trials -
Consider It Joy.
To get the song
CLICK HERE.