Before The Morning: Life Is Not A Snapshot
Album: Life Is Not A Snapshot
Year: 2009
Title: Before The Morning
If I took a snapshot of your life right now, would I see you standing in the dark before the morning?
A couple weeks ago, I put a call out for bloggers and readers of Faith Barista to share their stories of rejection. We have also been exploring the whole notion of God’s blueprints for our lives and trying to grapple with why He allows pain.
Thank you for sharing your amazing stories.
Skin In The Game
I loved finding the mystery behind our mixed experiences of fears and faith. It’s beautiful and real to see them co-exist.
Sometimes, when we get snagged by our duplicity, we can stand frozen.
But, Jesus is bigger than our doubts. He can meet us in that haze of indecision and grab us by the hand. He lovingly waits to show us there is more to life.
There’s no formula on how He’ll do it, but the crazy thing is this: He wants us to put skin in the game.
Worship Smoothie
Today, I’d like to dedicate this Worship Smoothie — Before The Morning, by Josh Wilson — to those of us who stand at the edge of change.
We’re not guaranteed perfection in life. Total bummer, huh? We may get hurt, make mistakes, and God forbid, find out we’re flawed (really?).
But, the lure of the Gospel is this: God promises to make the bad out of good. His reputation is staked on bringing life out of death. He hung on the cross to show us He can do it.
The rub is whether we’d be willing to walk that same path… sometimes through darkness… in order to see the light up ahead.
If you’ve ever wondered why God had you walk in the dark –
yet were brave enough to keep trying —
you are daring to believe –
Life is not a snapshot
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight‘Cuz the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning~Lyrics to “Before The Morning”, by Josh Wilson
I’m going for it — whatever that plan of God’s is for me. I can only find out, if I’m willing to try.
I’m glad that I can find some faith friends along the way, here with you. You’ve given me encouragement, by giving me a peek at life before the morning.
Let’s help each other and keep walking. There’s Light up ahead.
What changes put your skin in the game?
Hope you enjoy the smoothie as much as I did. Happy Friday.
Remember… Fill That Glass Half Full!
"Before The Morning"
Lyrics By Josh Wilson
Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday somehow you’ll see you’ll see
Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
'Cuz the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer
And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
It’s just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
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To read about the story behind the song, "Before The Morning", click here.
Caroline on { Unwrapping Love } Flirt With Remembrance
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Jennifer on { Unwrapping Love } Flirt With Remembrance
Awesome post, Bonnie!
.-= Ginny (MAD21)´s last blog ..Fingerprint Friday: Promise of a New Day =-.
Thanks, Ginny!
I’ve never listened to the words of that song before – just hummed the tune. I love the message, God’s good will shine. We just need to hold on.
Thanks.
.-= Kim Avery´s last blog ..Frugal Friday – Cast Your Bread Upon the Water =-.
Music & lyrics… This song is a gem.
I so needed to hear this! Thank you for posting it. You said something that really struck a chord with me.
“We’re not guaranteed perfection in life. Total bummer, huh? We may get hurt, make mistakes, and God forbid, find out we’re flawed (really?).”
I think that’s part of why the last year has been so difficult. God is showing me my flaws and mistakes…something I have never enjoyed seeing. It’s all to the end of bringing about positive changes in my life but it hurts and it’s uncomfortable. I want instant results instead of constant reminders of what still needs refinishing.
Anyways, thanks again for sharing this song and covering this topic. It’s poking some sores, but that’s good.
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..Beautifully Broken =-.
Whew! I’m glad to “see” you smile ‘cuz I didn’t mean to poke any sores.
We’re all in the same “refinishing” process… and we’re encouraged by each other.
Thanks for your encouraging words Bonnie. I have this sense sometimes that the majority of our time is spent in states of uncertainty. At least, that’s how I feel. Then I have dips that get worse and sometimes last longer than I’d like. Then God breaks through in a fresh way and all is well. Soon though, circumstances change and it’s back to uncertainty before another dip.
I suppose the faith and God’s Spirit are supposed to be the constants, not our circumstances… OK, that was totally stream of consciousness. I hope that made sense.
.-= Ed Cyzewski´s last blog ..A Review of Reboot: Refreshing Your Faith in a High-Tech World =-.
I feel the same way! Shall we clink our glasses to this returning uncertainty? I sincerely believe it keeps our faith edge, being brought to this place of “faith and God’s spirit”. The believers in the Bible walked the same path as well…
Paul said, now we see in a mirror dimly. And we do! (Love the name of your blog….)
You should do more of your stream of consciousness.
Thanks Bonnie. We have certainly been in an uncertain time ourselves, so it’s good to know we’re in good company.
I’ll take you up on that challenge to write a bit more stream of consciousness… I’m starting a new series called, “When the Right Answers Fail Us.” I think I could write on and on and on about that one!
.-= ed cyzewski´s last blog ..A Review of Reboot: Refreshing Your Faith in a High-Tech World =-.
Perfect! I think you’ll find readers will connect with them, as we do here. And what a perfect series to let that stream of consciousness loose on.
Great words, Bonnie. I had to look up “Skin in the Game” and what that meant. Now I know, and now I’ve added it to my vocabulary. Love learning new phrases and words. Anyway…
I think you said it best when you tweeted that you’d never been so encouraged by rejection. I felt the same way.
Love the worship smoothie, as always.
.-= brett barner´s last blog ..Sunday School Classroom Spring Cleaning =-.
I know, I’m still on a high, with all the voices ringing (in a good way) in my head. I was imagining how God must feel, hearing all our voices. I think our words have brewed a wonderful, pleasing aroma, you think?
As for the idiom, “skin in the game”… I went back to put a referring link…
Your post always get me thinking…and that’s a good thing. Plus, the more I listen to this song, the more I love it. Thanks for that.
.-= Kristine´s last blog ..On the Importance of Overcoming =-.
It’s an awesome song!
Bonnie…eyes all misty. Discovered you at the beginning of this new journey of mine for a reason… a beautiful reason. It is a misty, uncertain night before the dawn. But dawn DOES come. It’s overtime and I’m ready to wrestle out a victory. The greatest victories extract the greatest effort. While the darkness is disconcerting, I stand in awe at the idea that He gathers every drop of sweat, every jaw-clenched effort, every rebuff and rebuke, and shapes them into something completely amazing… if we stay in the game. So blessed to exchange thoughts with you.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Cooking Up Curriculum: Spring =-.
Ditto! It IS a blessing! No doubt about it. Your words wax beautiful poetry.
L-O-V-E this song!!! Its just the dark before the morning….His mercies are new everyday. Thank you for such a positive and inspirational BLOG!!
)
.-= Debbie {50centlove}´s last blog ..My Baby is {EIGHTEEN} =-.
Thank YOU, Debbie!
“I suppose the faith and God’s Spirit are supposed to be the constants, not our circumstances” love this comment byEd!
Ok, I have never heard of the phrase, ‘put some skin in the game’. I looked it up and am still having problems with understanding what you mean by it Bonnie. I suppose it is because it is a new phrase. Brett was able to figure it out and I’m glad for him. I need some help, though, please. Thanks.
The idiom “Skin in the Game”, according to Answers.com:
“… A term coined by renowned investor Warren Buffett referring to a situation in which high-ranking insiders use their own money to buy stock in the company they are running.
Investopedia Says:
The idea behind creating this situation is to ensure that corporations are managed by like-minded individuals who share a stake in the company. Executives can talk all they want, but the best vote of confidence is putting one’s own money on the line just like outside investors!…”
We Christians can talk all we want, but faith calls us to put ourselves out there, taking actions that require risk, in order to put our “bets” on God coming through for us. Hope this helps!
The lyrics to this song are so “on point” and beautiful..I have them hung in my cubicle at work to remind me that no matter what, GOD is always there for us–we just have to trust Him no matter how hard that may be for us sometimes.
What makes this song even MORE special is the real reason behind why Josh wrote it . God Bless Josh for what he’s done by writing this beautiful, touching song!
In case anyone missed the link in the post, here’s the story behind the song: http://bit.ly/9nH1wz
Cray inspiring!
Thanks, FJC!
perfect post for this morning and my questions about life!
.-= Katy´s last blog ..We Are Full of Beauty =-.
That’s so cool.
Yes, it does, Bonnie! Thanks!
Thank you for writing this. I try to keep brave. I’ve learned along the way, fear is not a friend. But the unmarked transitions in life do bring us to a stop. Where are the road signs pointing? God said to stand at the crossroads and to ask where the ancient good paths are and to walk in them, that they would bring rest to our souls. But, when I have 6 weeks before change happens. And, not knowing or having any clue what is around the bend, I am learning that there is a deeper work of trust that needs to be developed, a deeper maturing in my walk with my ever faithful God. Thanks for the post, Bonnie. Blessings on your day!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Called to Go =-.
6 weeks is probably feeling quickly approaching. May you find Him faithful around the bend.
I needed this. How often do we make a decision or do something that if we’d waited a little longer and/or not tried to help God, the end results would have been much better? It really is darkest right before the dawn, and that’s when it’s the hardest to believe – that the sun is coming up, that life is going to be OK, ……….fill in the blank. I know. I’m living in a dark, scary, waiting place right now.
Thank you for sharing the message and thanks for sharing the song – I’d never heard it.
I’m so glad to share such an important song and message during a dark time you are walking through. You are not alone. Hold on, Carol… there will be morning…
“He wants us to put skin in the game.” You couldn’t say it any better than that. That just hit me… I love it Bonnie! That song is fabulous.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..rains =-.
It is… fabulous… ! Happy to see you step out, sponsoring Steph for Relevant — blessings!
It is good to hear that God is working to bring all of us to a place of joy. I’m definitely praying that He show me how to use the rest of my life to bring His love to our world. Thanks so much for the encouragement.
This song reminds me of my brother I lost just about 1 year ago. Sad story. This song reminds me yes god makes this life a bumpy rollar coaster, but you got to hold on for the long ride.