On Facebook, I came across a song by Shane & Shane that I had never heard before called "Though You Slay Me." Everybody needs a little more Shane &; Shane in their life, so I clicked the YouTube link to listen to it. What I found after the jump is one fo the most beautiful things I''ve ever heard, but some of the lyrics I didn't completely understand. So before you listen to the song, watch this short clip explaining the story behind the song.
Now you can listen to the song... It has an excerpt from John Piper that is the best part of this video... be sure the listen to that, too. What gets better than some Shane & Shane + John Piper?
I've copied the lyrics here below, in case you want to follow along as you listen. (I always like to do this when I hear a new song for the first time.)
Shane & Shane - Though You Slay Me Lyrics
I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who's broken
The one who's torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I'll know every tear was worth it all
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Though tonight I'm crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You're still all that I need
You're enough for me
You're enough for me
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
__________________
If you haven't been in a hospital room like Shane describes in the first video, or in one of the trial Piper references, you will be. If you haven't experienced misery in the path of obedience, you will. Not being a Debbie Downer, just being realistic about life on this Earth.
October is Infant Loss awareness month. Its easy to go through my life now, several years removed from the loss of Whitney and not think too much about her. (I think this is a self-preservation thing, not meaning I love her any less.) Gia keeps me hopping and the new one growing inside joyfully wears out whatever energy is left over in a day. And to be honest, sometimes remembering Whitney hurts. Ok, it always hurts. But some days more than others. So it gets easier to ignore it, and just get through the days as they come, without looking at the things that have passed. But when I do that, I am neglecting a season of life where the goodness and sovereignty of God has never been greater. And who doesn't need to be reminded of that? I sure do. And it seems I'm entering yet another season of life where I am having to seek out and remind myself of God's sovereignty. He hasn't shown up with an answer yet, but I know He will. Looking back at the time we had with Whitney, and the way His goodness radiated through every millisecond of that season brings me hope and renews my faith. So if reminding myself of the truths about God involves some pain from the loss of the past, I know it is worth it to remain faithful to the calling that we have received. Even better than that? I know ultimately there will be a day where there is no pain in remembering Whitney, because she will be right beside me or better yet, in my arms, and we will be praising the sovereignty and goodness of our God at His very feet.
