Reflections on "Counting Stars"

(I've had one of those months wherein I have come to this blog time after time wondering what to write about next. Between visiting a friend, fighting seasonal sickness, and continuing to seek peace and rest during this season of uncertainty, I have had ideas but nothing that has resulted in a coherent post. I still have several saved drafts just waiting for the click of the "Publish" button, but I thought this would be a good place to begin.)

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A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a concert with some of my closest friends from church. Not only were we all feeling the need for some getaway girl time, but there was a free Andrew Peterson concert being held at a church in Lexington. We each eagerly anticipated the road trip over, and the day away did not disappoint. Already filled to the brim with fun car conversation and Mexican food, we found our seats in the church sanctuary. As the stage was being set and those friends already more familiar with his music were chatting excitedly with each other, I silently prayed that my heart would be encouraged and refreshed by the music we were about to hear. I felt like my heart was in need of such refreshing, the kind that oftentimes only music can so uniquely bring. I knew this was going to be a sweet and memorable evening when Andrew began with this song:
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MANY ROADS

If you’ll step inside this great glass elevator

It’ll take us up above the city lights

Where the planet curves away to the equator

I wanna show you something fine

You can see the roads that we all traveled just to come here

A million minuscule decisions intertwined

Why they brought us to this moment isn’t clear

But that’s all right, we’ve got all night

CHORUS

Could it be that the many roads you took to get here

Were just for me to tell this story and for you to hear this song

And your many hopes, and your many fears

Were meant to bring you here all along

So If you’ll trust me with your time I’ll spend it wisely

I will sing to you with all I have to give

If you traveled all this way, then I will do my best to play

My biggest hits (Don’t I wish)

And if you’ll lend to me your ear I’ll sing ‘em pretty

I will never, ever sing ‘em out of tune

And I will not forget the words, of any chorus, bridge, or verse I promise you

CHORUS

‘Cause it could be that the many roads you took to get here

Were just for me to tell this story, and for you to hear this song

And your many hopes, and your many fears

Were meant to bring you here all along

BRIDGE

We've got Benjamin to play that grand piano

If we’re lucky it’s a little out of tune

We've got Andy on the guitar ‘cause I promised him

Some Texas barbecue (and disc golf too)

How I love to watch you listen to the music

‘Cause you sing to me a music of your own

As I cast out all these lines, so afraid that I will find I am alone, all alone

CHORUS

Could it be that the many roads I took to get here

Were just for you to tell this story, and for me to hear this song

And my many hopes, and my many fears

Were meant to bring me here all along

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An indicator of truly good music is when you find yourself pondering the lyrics days later, reflecting on the weight of the message. This first song is such an example: here you have this simple, catchy song welcoming and thanking those of us in attendance, but there is so much more to what Andrew was trying to get across to us; the seemingly smallest details of our lives - events, hopes, conversations, fears - are part of the journey the Lord already intended for us. How comforting and encouraging that is to hear from a fellow brother on this journey of faith. I remember feeling this way during a concert I attended at my college church back in 2003; I walked in thirsting for encouragement, and came away pondering the music days and weeks and months later (Derek Webb's She Must and Shall Go Free tour). Little did I know that night back in 2003 that I was sitting next to my future husband, and my true feelings for him were confirmed during that concert... How little we often know about what God has in mind for us, in the most mundane and significant events. What we do know is that He will meet us in those moments when our need is great. While traveling to that Andrew Peterson concert weeks ago now, I knew my heart was in need of the kind of encouragement I often receive from music. The Lord knew my desire, and was kind to meet me there~