All you have to do is die: the power of abiding in death
Junius Johnson is an independent scholar, musician, and writer with expertise in historical and systematic theology. He writes articles both scholarly and popular, considering theological aspects of beauty, imagination, and culture, and their implications for the Christian life. He holds a PhD in Philosophical Theology from Yale University and is the author of four books, including The Father of Lights: A Theology of Beauty (Baker Academic, 2020). An engaging speaker and teacher, he is a member of The Cultivating Project and offers online courses in theology, literature, and Latin through Junius Johnson Academics (academics.juniusjohnson.com).
Only the Lover Sings
by Matthew Clark
Buried in a drawer, like a pinewood box
There’s a ring that used to shine like a promise
But it doesn’t anymore
Or at the coffee place, I found a little note
It said, “another lonely day” like a message
From a stranded castaway
Pre-CHORUS
It can happen like that to any one of us
Life just ain’t what you thought it was
CHORUS
But that won’t stop him, that won’t stop him
from making new life, from making new life
I hear the whispers now, all with a tongue so sharp
They can fill you full of holes if you let them
Leave you paralyzed with doubt
There’s so many ways, that we can go so wrong
Every one of us is broken and bleeding
Too ashamed to show our face
Pre-CHORUS
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Jesus you are here, you’re right here
In the middle of death.
But that never stopped you,
never stopped you before.
©2022 Matthew Clark, Path in the Pines Music, ASCAP
It seems we all in our lives repeat Adam’s sin. Afterwards he listened as the Lord explained that Eve’s child would deal with the serpent who started this catastrophe, and then He kindly provided clothes to protect him from the coming thorns. I think we hear that same patient voice assuring us our personal disaster will be taken care of and he will providentially see us through the painful consequences.
Hi Tim! Yes, I hadn’t thought of the idea that the clothes protect from the thorns. That’s beautiful. Great to see you at the Friedline’s and at church Sunday!