Bigger, Tougher, and Kinder Than you

From his 1991 record titled Blue Blvd singer/songwriter Dave Alvin begins the song Rich Man's Town like this:

As tough as you are somebody's tougher 
As strong as you are somebody's stronger 
But as weak as you are somebody's weaker 
When you're living in a Rich Man's Town

I don't think a week goes by that I don't think of this song in some way or another. Whenever I'm down on myself I think someone is poorer, sicker, more tired or simply just having a worst day than me.

Similarly, when I'm high on myself I think there's somebody bigger, stronger, richer, funnier, or happier than me. 

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Read Psalm 61

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In Psalm 61, the author pleads to God, "Hear my cries! Listen to my prayers!...Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  It reminds me of when the tsunami hit Phucket, Thailand in 2004. Before the area was slammed by massive waves and rise in sea tide, the animals began to run up to the hills and mountains to save themselves. They instinctively knew to get to higher ground to seek protection. As a result many of the animals were saved.

Humans love this idea of saving themselves. This an attitude tricks us to believe that we can pretty much do anything on our own. And for the most part, we can. Bathe ourselves, feed ourselves, pay our bills on time, and even self-diagnose and medicate ourselves.

But when the waters of life begin to rise, and our ego supersedes our instincts to run up to the hills, no valiant effort is enough to save ones self.  As we get trapped in a situation, especially a really bad one like a tsunami, we wind up spending all our energy and efforts just trying to keep our heads above water.

The psalmist, like all those smart animals, doesn't do it this way. Instead, he (or she) cries out to God, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy." More than a song or poem, this is a confession as much as it is a plea. "I can't do this, God...But you can!"

The I might be strong, but not stronger than a tsunami. I might be smart, but not nearly as gifted as an animal. I might be faithful, but my faith in myself pales in comparison to God's faithfulness and God's faith in me.  And so, I too turn to God, my rock and my salvation.

​God changes our perspective on whatever situation we might be faced with today. When we are caught up in the midst of a difficult situation, we need to get to the rock that is higher than we are, stronger than we are, and tougher than we'll ever be. This is what it means to be a part of God's family. We can always rely on God to protect and care for us.

Likewise, as children of God, we too have a responsibility. Whenever we see someone else suffering or scared, or just barely holding on, we must become a mountain for them to climb up.