Ups and Downs

I had an interesting though last night after having talked about change and simply the way life tends to go with all of its ups and downs and ins and outs. Some advice Hal gave me also came to mind. It was all sparked by a song by Kendall Payne called "Ups and Downs". Check out the lyrics, I find them all quite profound:

"All that I've found through the ups and the downs is that I'd have it no other way. Life in the raw is both fragile and strong. It's both lovely and ugly the same. Who can attest that when they're at their best, oh their worst is still crouching close behind. It's coming to peace with the darkness in me that allows the true light inside to shine.

"So let it go; we are still far from home, though you try and you try to escape. To live and to love will always be dangerous. But it's better than playing it safe.

"We are composed of a symphony of notes. Every life is as music to His ears. I'll play my melody, be it haunting, be it sweet. Unashamed of what anyone might hear.

"So when the load breaks your back and your will, you must still keep your heart in the game. To live and to love will always be dangerous. But it's better than playing it safe.

"So let it go when you don't feel like home, when inside is your only escape. To live and to love will always be dangerous. But would you want it any other way?"

Lots to think about in there... She's right though. Would you really want it any other way? I honestly don't think I would. Yes, life and love can be painful - dangerous even - but it's all totally worth it. And it is SO much better than playing things safely. Life is all about risk and full of intimidating situations. But if there was no struggle, would it be as rewarding? We live in a great irony of beauty and filth all mixed into one. It really is a beautiful mess. So... play your melody. No matter what tone it is, what dissonance there may be, or how out of tun and off beat you are. Your Creator finds it... you... breathtakingly beautiful, even in the screw ups. And don't be ashamed of who you are. The darkness we live and work and play in allows the light to really shine instead of just barely being seen (could write a whole other blog on just that)!

Think about the mountains and the valleys in life. Wouldn't the earth be boring if it were flat-lands everywhere? No, instead there are rises and falls. Ebbs and flows. Creeks, streams, and waterfalls that cut gracefully into the land to make a masterpiece. We are no different.

And another thing. Take some time today to go read Colossians 3:1-17 or another of the many passages in Scripture that has to do with unity in the Body of Christ. Think about that - unity. Think about the song you are writing and orchestrating for all to hear, even your Maker. Is it haunting or is it sweet? Are you the cause for that or are your circumstances? What can you do to make it a little more melodic and pleasing to the ears?

Oh yeah, and the advice that Hal gave me was this: "It's all about your mindset." and "Just be yourself, it's usually better that way." (Few of his many wise tidbits of advice :) And I leave you with this... Would you really have it any other way? Or would you dare to venture out and change something?