I shared this video before when I first heard it. It’s one of those songs that just stops me in my tracks, wherever I am, whatever I’m doing. I heard it for the first time, during a point in my life where I couldn’t find the words to describe why I choose to remain a Christian amidst all the hard things I’ve gone through. This song gave me those words. In the therapy group I mentor, the therapist always talks about making peace with pain. It seems like a simple concept to grasp but it’s been one that I have to relearn, practice and over time, I think I have come to my own understanding of what she means. For me, it’s about acceptance that life is imperfect and that pain is a part of the journey, but not the only part. It’s about recognizing pain while holding on to hope and also recognizing the good. I have struggled so much in fighting pain, as if it’s an enemy that I haven’t yet conquered. I forget often that the pain is a necessary part of joy and living a full life. When I remember this lesson, my hope is renewed. I’ve also learned that pain has never defeated me. And that’s one of the reasons I remain a Christian. Because I know I don’t have to conquer the pain. I may have to endure, work through and navigate through it. I may have to be still and feel alone at times in it. But I don’t need to conquer it. Because Christ already has. He conquered it for me. His resurrection, His victory over pain and death, showed me that pain wasn’t the end of His story. And because of Him, pain is not the end of my story. It’s also not the only part of my story here in this life. I believe the biggest miracle comes not in the absence of pain, but in the sustaining peace amidst the pain that comes through Him. I have a lot of “Why God” questions myself, that are still not answered. But I know that’s why I need Him. Line upon Line, He leads me, teaches me and guides me. I need Him through the unknown. He is the Light in the my darkness.
Why, God by Austin French: