Try to sit still for a moment. Hear anything? Perhaps some cars driving outside. Maybe some birds chirping. Hear anything else?
In movies, there is always intentional silence or sound in the background. This helps guide our emotional response to a particular scene. Think of “Jaws” or “Jurassic Park.” Can you hear the two notes that signal a large shark drawing near?
I almost always have a song stuck in my head. It's typically some folk or alternative music like Sylvan Esso or Maggie Rogers. It's sometimes a Grateful Dead or Sturgill Simpson song if I've spent a lot of time with my spouse. For over a week now, my
“ear-worm”
has been “River” by Leon Bridges.
Prior to writing Monday’s Spiritual Focus, I read Psalm 46 at least once a day for five days. While “Be still, and know that I am God” always stands out- verse four kept repeating over and over in my head.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
I think of the "rivers" in my life. The literal rivers such as the Tennessee and the James where I wish I could spend my time. The chaotic streams of information from the media that keep flowing past me. The rapid thoughts in my head that I seek to write down more often. The "river whose streams make glad the city of God."
What "rivers" can you think of in your own life?
What are you “ear-worms” or sounds that are stuck in your head?
“River” by Leon Bridges feels like a prayer to me. It reminds me of a hymn, perhaps even a gospel you would hear on a Sunday morning.
Been traveling these wide roads for so long
My heart's been far from you
Ten-thousand miles gone
Oh, I wanna come near and give ya
Every part of me
But there's blood on my hands
And my lips aren't clean
In my darkness I remember
Momma's words reoccur to me
"Surrender to the good Lord
And he'll wipe your slate clean"
Take me to your river
I wanna go
Oh, go on
Take me to your river
I wanna know
Tip me in your smooth waters
I go in
As a man with many crimes
Come up for air
As my sins flow down the Jordan
Oh, I wanna come near and give ya
Every part of me
But there's blood on my hands
And my lips aren't clean
Take me to your river
I wanna go
Go on,
Take me to your river
I wanna know
I wanna go, wanna go, wanna go
I wanna know, wanna know, wanna know
Wanna go, wanna go, wanna go
Wanna know, wanna know, wanna know
Wanna go, wanna go, wanna go
Wanna know, wanna know, wanna know
Take me to your river
I wanna go
Lord, please let me know
Take me to your river
I wanna know
Amen
.
