Percy’s Random Ramblings

God moments Friday, 02/11/2011

There are these precious moments in life where I believe God speaks to us individually in a way that is unmistakable as it is undeniable. I believe He can speak to us in many different ways. We can be reading scripture and it takes on a whole new meaning. We can hear a bird chirp which takes us out of ourselves and makes us pause so we notice the natural beauty around us. He can reveal new truths to us in songs that we know and love. I wanted to share one of those that happened to me recently. I hope this is the first of many posts like this.

There is a Men’s ministry program at our old church that I go to on Friday mornings. Currently, we’re looking at the biblical definition of manhood. In biblical terms, a true man is one that…
…rejects passivity
…accepts responsibility
…leads courageously
…and expects the greater reward – God’s reward

As I left our last meeting, I put my iPhone on shuffle as I made my way to work. The first song that came up was an older one – “The River” by Garth Brooks. I’d been listening to this song since I was in High School and I hadn’t listened to it in quite some time, so I let it play. Even though I knew this song backwards and forwards, it was like I was hearing it completely new. For the first time, I really listened to the lyrics and pondered them through the “lens” of the lesson that morning. God showed me how that song really demonstrates the characteristics He has set up for manhood.

The first verse of the song talks about “a dream”. When I first listened to this song, I took that to mean the sleepy time kind (“Man, I had a weird dream last night”). However, listening to it with “new ears”, I now take it to mean one of those life goals that seems just a bit out of reach (“My dream is to one day have it all.”) – i.e. A God-sized reward.

Also, the first verse says that we “must follow” the river that is our dream. Thinking about the “dream” like I used to, I thought that meant that, while dreaming, we were not in control and had to go wherever the dream took us. Thinking about it now, I believe that it means “the dreamer” is driven to accomplish the goal, even to the point of believing that its no longer truly a choice – a sign of true commitment to fulfilling your dream.

So, with that in mind, here are the lyrics with my commentary included throughout.

“The River” by Garth Brooks
You know a dream (the greater reward) is like a river
Ever changin’ as it flows
And a dreamer’s just a vessel (accepting responsibility)
That must follow where it goes (rejecting passivity, expecting the greater reward)
Trying to learn from what’s behind you (accepting responsibility)
And never knowing what’s in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores (rejecting passivity)

And I will sail my vessel (leading courageously, accepting responsibility)
‘Til the river runs dry (rejecting passivity)
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I’ll never reach my destination
If I never try (rejecting passivity, accepting responsibility)
So I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away (we have a tendency toward passivity that we need to resist)
‘Til what we put off ’til tomorrow
It has now become today (accepting responsibility)
So don’t you sit upon the shoreline
And say you’re satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance that tide (rejecting passivity)

There’s bound to be rough waters
And I know I’ll tke some falls (accepting responsibility)
With the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all (expecting the greater reward)

You may not believe what I believe, and the truth is, I don’t know what the author of these lyrics believed when these lyrics were penned. That’s the beauty of free will. There are universal truths – truths that transcend time, situations and, honestly, beliefs. If you look at the successful men in this world, you’ll see most, if not all, of these traits. Too, this song is popular because it speaks to those kind of truths, and we find that we can relate and be inspired by what it says. I see God in that. Others might not.

So, if you’re still reading this, you may ask – “What’s your point?”. The truth is, I’m not sure. I had this moment in my life that had a profound effect on me and I wanted to record it and share it.  So, take from it what you will.

Until next time…