Anyone from my generation, and even today’s generation, if asked whether they’ve heard of the song, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, would say ‘YES…’ It is an iconic song released in 1970 by Simon & Garfunkel. It came out at a time when our country was going through tremendous turmoil over the Vietnam War, race relations, the cold war, and a dramatic rebellious cultural shift away from ‘The Great Generation’s’ traditional values. I remember those days well.
Many times, over my life, this song has spoken to me when going through challenges, heartaches, and loss. It has also motivated me to befriend others who were going through the same. One thing that occasionally happens to me at times when hearing classic songs such as this one, is for God to speak in His still, small voice to my heart and say, ‘I’m your friend and will help you get through your troubled water too’.
He's good about speaking to our hearts at just the right time. It’s just like Him to take a song written to address the culture around us at the time, even if it's 49 years old, and apply it directly to our own situations in a personal, loving way.
Tonight, if you’re going through a challenge and feel all alone, I wanted to remind you too that there is a friend ‘Who sticks closer than a brother’ and who wants to help you through the challenges you may be facing. I want to encourage you to listen to this song below, read the lyrics, and imagine it’s God speaking to you; because He says this to us every day (classic song or not). And remember, you are loved, and you will get over the troubled water to find peace again. Whatever It may be…