The best way to live is with a song in your heart. Two songs served as inspiration for this reflection.
Easter season teases our souls every year. Like a moth to flame, we hover near the season’s celebrations but hesitate to plunge right in.
After the Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday Resurrection celebrations we are caught again with the hopes and inspirations to continue our life’s journey.
In Start a Fire, the band Unspoken describes our world, which is “cold and bitter” at times; “Feels like we’re in the dead of winter waiting for something better.” The song continues:
“Over and over again
“I hear Your voice in my head
“Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see.”
Then the chorus says,
“Start a fire in my soul
“Fan the flame and make it grow
“So there's no doubt or denying
“Let it burn so brightly
“That everyone around can see
“That it's You, that it's You that we need
“Start a fire in me.”
Our after-Easter journey should be one with Jesus by our sides. Imagining Jesus with us in the boat when the seas are choppy, imagining Jesus in our car on a journey through an icy storm – these were thoughts I shared in an earlier article. That sounds easy enough.
As we continue life after Good Friday death and Easter Sunday Resurrection, another song echoes in my mind:
“Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel
“Kyrie eleison, through the darkness of the night
“Kyrie eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
“Kyrie eleison, on a highway in the light.”
John Lang’s lyrics and artists Mr. Mister with its 1980’s hit Kyrie speak of a fire that burns a “gemlike flame.” That muse still haunts me, like good music will:
“The wind blows hard against this mountain side
“Across the sea into my soul
“It reaches into where I cannot hide
“Setting my feet upon the road.”
Yes, my memories go back to:
“When I was young I thought of growing old
“Of what my life would mean to me
“Would I have followed down my chosen road
“Or only wished what I could be.”
The marvel of Easter is in getting to know Jesus a little better. Incredibly, God still stands on the path like a Prodigal Father, hoping we will return to Him. More incredibly God is ready to forgive us and forgive us and forgive us, even when He knows we will falter again.
As we continue our life’s journey after Easter, may the “Lord have mercy” song stay with us as we “find ourselves again:”
“Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel
“Kyrie eleison, through the darkness of the night
“Kyrie eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
“Kyrie eleison, on a highway in the light.”
