Are you running away from problems today?
I know, from first-hand experience, how tempting it is to consider running away from problems. I’ve been guilty of it. I’ll bet you have, too. But what happened? Did the problems go away? Mine sure didn’t. The only thing that helps…or can ever do any good, when you’re face with life’s challenges…is to stand and face them.
For most of my life I’ve had a place I could go when I needed to drown out the world. Music. When I was 22, I bought a piano. Not an electronic keyboard. An actual, upright piano. It was a Rudolph Aeolian, and I was ecstatic. If I remember correctly, it cost me $400 or $500. I discovered it in the downstairs section of a used piano shop in Kansas City, Missouri. And I made arrangements with the owner for him to keep it and deliver it once I had it paid off. After a few months of applying all my “extra” income, I paid it off. And I had it promptly delivered to my little trailer home I rented for $75 a month in a little rural, Kansas town.
What does all that have to do with running away from problems?
I’m glad you asked. Oh wait, that was me who asked…but no matter. The point is, once I had my very own piano in my very own place…I had my very own escape route. And I could make my escape any time the world and its problems started closing in too much. Thankfully, that wasn’t often the case…and thankfully, most of the time I just wanted to play, get better, and write songs…hundreds of songs. Like I said…Music was my PLACE.
But a “place” isn’t the answer to life’s problems. If you’re running away from problems and thinking there must be a “place” where you’ll be safe, you’ll be disappointed every time. You can’t hide from the troubles of this world. Even if you found yourself on a deserted island, you’d have to deal with the thoughts in your own head. And despite what you might think to the contrary, having only your thoughts to deal with would not be a paradise.
Instead of a “place”, you need a person. The person? Jesus. The first person of the resurrection. The One who spoke words and the whole universe exploded into existence. Here’s something to ponder as you face life today. You were once a thought inside the mind of God. Chew on that, if you’re considering running away from problems. And if God created you, where do you think you can go where He won’t be able to find you? No “place”. The good news is…He only wants to love you and give you eternal life. He doesn’t want you to face life alone. So, if the day seems too much to bear, turn to your Creator. Don’t do like I did in these words…
Play Sweet Piano
To lie is such a foolish thing,
But I still do.
I try too hard to find a way
To make it true.
I’ll try to stand on the ocean,
If you will.
Let’s take a look at the sky.
I’ll try to be as calm as
I can be,
And there’ll never be clouds in our eyes.
To laugh is such an easy thing.
So why can’t I?
My face is strong, but that’s to hide
My empty lie.
Play sweet piano
And lose me inside you.
I know you will do that for me.
Let’s take a journey”we’ll fly,
And we won’t come back.
We’ll live in a sweet melody.
© 1977 Tony Funderburk
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Stay tuned,
