Monday, January 16, 2012

A Word of Encouragement

It was 1974 and I was a lost sinner. I will elaborate later upon my conversion story, but I was a musician and a fan of many rock groups, as well as classical music. One of my favorite bands was called Jethro Tull. I not only liked their music, but I admired Ian Anderson’s linguistic talent.
And during the time the Spirit was drawing me to Christ, I went to see them perform. They sang a song called “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day”. Now you can discount it if you must, but I contend that God can and does use the most unexpected things to draw sinners unto Himself.
And as I sat in the audience under the influence of whatever narcotics I could get my hands on, I heard these words.

Meanwhile back in the year One --- when you belonged to no-one ---
you didn't stand a chance son, if your pants were undone.`
Cause you were bred for humanity and sold to society ---
one day you'll wake up in the Present Day ---
a million generations removed from expectations of being who you really want to be.

Skating away ---skating away ---skating away on the thin ice of the New Day.

So as you push off from the shore,won't you turn your head once more ---
and make your peace with everyone?
For those who choose to stay,will live just one more day ---
to do the things they should have done.
And as you cross the wilderness, spinning in your emptiness:you feel you have to pray.
Looking for a sign that the Universal Mind has written you into the Passion Play.

Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day.

And as you cross the circle line, the ice-wall creaks behind ---you're a rabbit on the run.
And the silver splinters fly in the corner of your eye ---shining in the setting sun.
Well, do you ever get the feeling that the story's too damn real and in the present tense?
Or that everybody's on the stage, and it seems like you're the only person sitting in the audience?
Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day.

God had been dealing with my heart, and I had been severely convicted about the reality of the claims of Jesus Christ. And while I listened to the words of the above song, I heard two phrases that caught more than my attention.

Looking for a sign that the Universal Mind has written you into the Passion Play.

That was exactly what I was searching for!
Then these words:

Well, do you ever get the feeling that the story's too damn real and in the present tense?

That was it. It was not long after that concert, and by many other means, that I believed on Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Now I share this with you to encourage you to pray for your children and loved ones, even though they are engaged in activities in which you cannot see how God could ever work. You minimize the power and scope of the ministry of the Spirit. God has used all kinds of things to water the seed that the Spirit has implanted in a person’s heart.

Thirty-seven years later I still cannot get over the fact that God saved me.

Keep praying and keep asking.

1 comment:

Rick said...

Very interesting, from another former musician/Tull enthusiast!

When I was just converted, I was still listening to Alex Chilton and Big Star. They had a song "Jesus Christ was Born today" and when I wasn't really paying attention, that song came on and God spoke assurance into my heart.

Blessings!