Often when confronted with the pain of today, we tell ourselves that tomorrow will be better that things will change. It may sound terribly pessimistic to say that this isnt true, but there certainly is no guarantee that they will. For the thousands of people suffering in Darfur right now, significant change probably won't come in their lifetime. The homeless man looking for spare change on the downtown streets of every American town may never see things improve. Many people who thought they had seen the darkest day of their life find out that there was a trap door on what they hoped was rock bottom.
A recent conversation with someone very close to me who is enduring tremendous loss reminded me of just how easy it is to go through life with skewed perspective. It is easy to get wrapped up in the present when we feel like there is no end to it, but the moment we are confronted with the reality that this life will end, there is a longing to know that there is something more beyond this life and a hope that the more is better than the current.
Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind
If the present is full of pain, the hope for a better future may be the only thing that keeps us going. When the darkness of this life closes in, a longing for a new day often begins. If there are no guarantees in this life it makes sense to look to the next. We all want to know that when all the stars have all gone out there will be Something that is 'still burning bright.
Sarah McLachlans Answer is one of the more beautiful interactions with this reality. I have always heard this song as having two parts: A Promise and a response to that Promise.
If you are dealing with this kind of pain today, maybe there is a hope for Something found in this song that will be of help to you.
Answer (Lyrics)
by Sarah McLachlan
I will be the answer
At the end of the line
I will be there for you
While you take the time
In the burning of uncertainty
I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance
If you can't look down
If it takes my whole life
I won't break, I won't bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
You'll still be burning so bright
Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind
Take me to a
Place so holy
That I can wash this from my mind
The memory of choosing not to fight
If it takes my whole life
I won't break, I won't bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
'Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all burned out
You'll still be burning so bright
Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind
