One of my favorite things to do is find a song that truly evokes something within me and learn more about how it was made. Without fail, the fruits of this endeavor produce both a newfound appreciation and deeper insight into a musical piece and the artists that created it through a bit of reading.
Recently, I stumbled upon the teenage-years anthem that is Fix You. Next to Believe by Yellowcard, this is one of the first songs I ever cried to. Naturally, I wanted to go deeper. I wanted to know how such a beautiful song could resonate with me and many others so much. I started writing this post several weeks ago in a creative outburst partially induced by the 5 mg edible I ate.
I was content leaving this in my ever-expanding drafts until I heard Fix You again the next morning on the local radio station, 94.5 FM. Then I listened to it again. And again. Among other synchronicities, I began to realize this was important to write.
According to genius lyrics, Chris Martin wrote Fix You on June 6th, 2005 for his wife at the time, Gwyneth, following the death of her father after battling with cancer.
It’s a heartfelt reminder that although we will never be able to fix each other, there is a deep, driving sense of love which steers us to comfort those dear to us, compelling us to guide them into lightness.
I get the sense we all are learning to heal, how to love, and how to be there for each other in this broken world. How to try.
It’s easy to get caught up in our sufferings, and the world’s sufferings, as if there is no end. We are all fighting tough, mostly unseen battles every day. And it sometimes seems as though the fires of our distress can threaten to blacken us completely.
But I am here to tell you there is Hope. And that these fiery trials we endure are actually for our ultimate good. Perhaps we can learn from the trees. We can recognize that whatever fire is singeing us, it does not mean our defeat. It does not mean our demise.
On the contrary, the momentary fires allow an opportunity for regrowth, for integration of the burns as part of its life rings. The burn scars actually serve as protection against infection for the tree. There are other benefits I won’t go into, but hopefully my point is clear by now.
Yet another reminder that comes to mind is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzer’s golden idol. They were thrown into the blazing furnace to be burned alive, yet “nor was a hair of their heads singed” (see Daniel chapter 3, for the full account). Jesus was with them in the fire and allowed them to emerge unscathed.
So, we may be tempted to avoid the refining fire entirely, to try to escape its pain. And, while painful it may be, perhaps we will find we are okay, even amidst the flames.
And we may even find that new life emerges from the soot and ash. Flowers, like the forsythia, will grow in the fertile soil, blooming for all to see.
The Light will guide us through to our home, and ignite our bones. And He can fix you. So let’s go home.
Until next time, and as always, with love,
Joe
By the way, Yellowcard did a lovely rendition of Fix You, as well.
Taking a deeper look at life. 