I’ve always been a blues music guy - that honest and soulful anthem of the nitty gritty, where life's grimy rubber meets the rocky road. It’s an absolute original American musical art form with direct roots to jazz, country and rock and roll. But even with those connections, it remains a unique music genre, in both style and verse. Born from slavery in the American South, it’s the song of struggle, stress and intense hardship.
My interest in the blues is more than liking a catchy musical style and emotionally connecting to the horrible curse we brought to our nation's collective soul. It's certainly both of those, but I've noticed a recurring theme. The bible’s book of Psalms reveals a similar poetic structure and emotional tone - a "cry for help in a day of trouble".
So can our laments be joyous? Should they be?
Voicing our complaints with song, verse or speech, even though negative, elevates our soul. There is no denying the popularity of blues music and all of its cousins. In ironic contradiction, the music and words encompass not just our life’s successes, but also its gut-wrenching struggles. “Where is God and why is he allowing this to happen?!” It’s a central question. Of all the mysteries of our God, I think the WHY of suffering is the hardest to comprehend, and leads us to questioning God’s character and his actions.
Woe is me ... And woe is us!
Suffering alone is torture. But it becomes therapy when shared. It feels good to talk it out, and “me too” empathy enhances community and strengthens its members. A blues song on a recording soothes a tired soul. But a lively blues concert on a warm summer night brings a real synergy to the crowd, reminding us that we are not alone.
But back to the why.
Yes it's a mystery, and a hard one to embrace. For some, it's a daily slog through the muck, and seemingly never-ending. And the why remains. Constant. As we search the heavens for an answer, it rarely comes right away. But over time, gems do emerge - patience, hope and ironically, an emerging connection with our Abba Father.
The result is, deep character!
There is a richness of spirit that only suffering provides. It's the big payoff for all the hard work, a surprising and deeply satisfying reward. And an abiding peace emerges, becoming a permanent character trait.
So the blue becomes as wide as the sky and as deep as the ocean. And our song itself changes within our hearts, from a self-centered complaint to authentic worship.
Romans 5:3-4 MSG
"There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next."
About the Author
Terry is a man in constant motion to explore new horizons. He has a thirst for new places and faces, and a deep love for the natural world - with a weakness for waterfalls and sunsets. All of this venturing out helps to both ground and inspire him, because it opens him up to people, with their vast, collective array of experiences, outlooks and responses.
He finds all of this fascinating and sees that it has encouraged the growth of something crucial in his Christian development: empathy and compassion toward his brothers and sisters on this planet.