Yesterday … All My Trouble Seemed So Far Away (Our Story Through Music)

We all have experienced it … yes, even you. That emptiness within us that longs for purpose, that void as if not all the pieces are in place, that question of what is this all about (and often the question is left unanswered). We try to fill that void with so many things … possessions, experiences, pharmaceuticals, relationships, et al. And though these desires my give us satisfaction in the moment, it is fleeting, like dust in the wind.

Wow … that was depressing. But don’t leave me yet, I getting to some good stuff.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared how I have a study group looking at classic rock songs and how these songs express the Larger Story that all of us have in our journey. We talked of the emptiness as seen Running on Empty and California Dreaming. Week two, we looked at desires. And we explored songs like More than a Feeling and Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. Unfortunately, these desires leave us unfulfilled and we realize the loss, the sorrow, and even the laments of broken dreams. This crushed aspect is seen in American Pie, Yesterday, and What’s Going On. After all, I am not half the man that I used to be, there’s a shadow hangin over me.

It’s as if Hope is given then sucked right out of our lives.

Wow … Still a bit depressing and overwhelming … especially on Monday.

Here is the twist, the flip, the pivot …. here is the good news. There is hope, there is purpose, there is a place we find freedom and deliverance from our chains and bondage … it is with the very Creator who made us in the first place.

This is also seen in music … music that expresses this freedom in our story … music that lifts the spirit and frees our souls to soar. Born to Run, Proud Mary, and Come Sail Away have lyrics, tones, emotions, and character that encourage us that freedom is possible.

Isaiah 61, later quoted by Jesus as He states these words are referring to Him, states He brings good news, He came to bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and open the prisons to those who are bound.

Now that is something that deserves a WOW. The emptiness, the brokenness, the lost dreams, all find restoration and fulfillment in the One who created us.

So, it’s Monday. Ugh, back to school/work. Ugh, it’s rainy … and rainy days and Monday’s. But have hope, great hope, a blessed hope.

And if you want to see some lyrics that lift your heart rate, a tune that motivates, and a truth that frees you … here is Chain Breaker by Zach Williams. And if you want to see a crowd that gets it, watch this video where Zach songs it at Harding Prison. Click here.

If you’ve been walking the same old road for miles and miles
If you’ve been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies
If you’re trying to feel the same old holes inside
There’s a better life
There’s a better life

If you’ve got pain
He’s a pain taker
If you feel lost
He’s a way maker
If you need freedom or saving
He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you’ve got chains
He’s a chain breaker

We’ve all search for the light of day in the dead of night
We’ve all found ourselves worn out from the same old fight
We’ve all run to things we know just ain’t right
And there’s a better life
There’s a better life

Chorus

If you believe it
If you receive it
If you can feel it
Somebody testify, testify (repeat)

Chorus