The other day, I had a melody stuck in my head. I found myself humming it – over & over. When I finally paid attention, I realized that it was “Desperado” by the Eagles. It had been a very long time since I last had heard the song. Funny how when it comes back, it comes not only with the tune but with all the words. Amazing how our brains store information. As a few days passed & it remained the song of choice for constant humming, I knew that it was something to pay attention to a little closer…..
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses?
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
Oh, you’re a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin’ you
Can hurt you somehow
- At times, we all tend to ride the fence a bit. Indecision –> the vacillating between two choices. We can start early in the morning with, “What do I want to eat for breakfast?” “What do I want to wear today?” Simple decisions. The choices can get more complex at times in our lives as we choose schools, careers, mates, places to live, cars to buy. Even what God will we serve. That has been a problem that man struggles with since biblical times. Elijah asked the people, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing.” (1 Kings 18:21 NIV84).
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can’t get
- At times, we all want that which will not satisfy. Often we think we will be happy when….we get married, we have a baby, we land that perfect job, we get a house, we buy that new car. Yet the Lord offers us the best & we pass it up.“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55:2 NIV84).
Desperado, oh, you ain’t gettin’ no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that’s just some people talkin’
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
- At times, we all try to walk through life on our own or alone. We truly are not able to sustain this successfully over the long haul. We need others. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24 NIV84). Notice that there is a habit forming aspect of neglecting coming together. It becomes a prison of our own making.
Don’t your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
It’s hard to tell the night time from the day
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
Ain’t it funny how the feeling goes away?
- At times, we will think we do not need one another. We all need help in life. We are wired for connection & relationship. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls & has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV84).
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it’s too late
- At ALL times, we need God’s love. Life will only be fulfilling as we accept & live in the love that God has for each of us. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us & sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. And so we know & rely on the love God has for us.” (1 John 4: 10 & 16 NIV84). We can rely on His love for us. Always.
Desperado. That’s us.May we always be desperate for Him alone. In case you have forgotten the song…..
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v80JtLKX_VY&w=560&h=315]
I linked at The Modest Mom , Inspire Me Monday , What Joy Is Mine .
