I was recently reminded of a song I hadn’t given much thought to since I graduated high school, a song that has always resonated with me in a very distinct way. The most recent time I heard it, I hadn’t realized quite how much I needed it. I’ve been going through somewhat of a difficult time, mentally, lately, and this song popped up on the radio just when I needed it most. Now I don’t know if I credit this to God’s incredible timing, or the fact that I listen to a really good radio station that seems to play everything I need when I need it, but I do know that it couldn’t have been more perfectly timed, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for the fact that I was in my car.
All at once I was flooded with memories of my senior year of high school, the absolutely amazing choir tour I experienced that year, and all of the amazing people and things I have going for me in this life.
What was this spectacular song, you may be asking?
It’s called Voice of Truth and it was put out by Casting Crowns, though the first time I heard it, I was singing it out of a music book in my church sanctuary, and I’ve loved it every time I’ve heard it since then. For those of you who have never heard it before, I suggest you take a quick little jaunt over to ITunes or GooglePlay or wherever you get your music, you have a listen, and you download.
Now for that I’ve sufficiently distracted myself from why I needed to share this information, let me get myself back to it. Voice of Truth is a solid reminder that God is always there. He’s always in control, and he’s always there to encourage and uplift you. No matter what you face in life, no matter how afraid you are of taking that next step, you have to remind yourself that God is in control. He’s here to hold your head above the water. Most importantly, though, this song will always remind me that despite any voices calling out at you, discouraging you, calling you a failure, including your own voice, God’s is there to remind you that you do everything in his name. Everything you do is for His glory.
My favorite part of this song mentions my favorite story from the Bible – David and Goliath.
Oh what I would do have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone,
Surrounded by the sounds of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand.
But the giant’s calling out my name, and he laughs at me,
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed.
The giant keeps on telling me,
Time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!
You’ll never win!”
But the voice of truth tells me a different story,
The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid.”
And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory.”
Out of all the voices calling out to me (Calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.
In the end, God is the only voice you need to listen to. His is the voice that matters, and His is the one that will guide you down the correct path. I don’t know about everyone else, but for me, this is the most encouraging message I can get right now. There are a ton of voices in the crowd trying to guide me (with all the best intentions) toward the path that will be right for me. For a while now, theirs have been the voices I’ve been listening to. I know they’re trying to help, and they have my best interests at heart, but they’re not my God.
Now, I’m not saying that God never speaks through those around you. A lot of times, he puts the right people in your path at the right times, and they act as his voice. What I am saying, though, is that Satan can use people, too. He often does. He can use the most friendly of faces to veer you off God’s path. So when an opportunity presents itself, do yourself a favor, and pray. Meditate. Focus on Him and let Him speak to you. In your times of fear and heartache, when you’ve just lost your job, or you’re struggling to find a job. If, like me, you’re trying to find your place in the world, and if you’ve lost sight of Him, come back. Pray. Read. Meditate. Ask for his help. I think Casting Crowns put it pretty eloquently in the bridge of their song.
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don’t seem so high
From the top of them looking down.
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me!
When it comes down to it, everything you do is for God’s glory. Everything you do should involve him. Pray when you wake up, before you eat, when you’re going to bed. Pray when you’re presented with new opportunities. Pray for your family and friends. Pray to praise God for all the wonderful and magnificent things he’s done in your life. To use a very familiar addage…He brought you to it, He’ll get you through it. Don’t be afraid to bring all your worries and cares to God.
And whatever you do, don’t forget that He’s got this.