Over the past several months I have told many people, basically anyone who would listen to me, about my cell phone ringtone. If you haven’t discovered this world of cell phone technology let me just say that it is quite interesting as you can put almost any song or sound on your phone as the ringtone. Meaning, instead of the basic ringing telephone sound that most ordinary phones make you can now hear the “Hockey Night in Canada” theme song, or a piece of classical music, or the latest Billboard hit. Well, I joined the bandwagon and made my ringtone a song called “Tears of the Saints.” It is by a band called Leeland and its words have had quite an impact on me. The first verse and chorus say this: “There are many prodigal sons; on our city streets they run, searching for shelter. Their homes broken down, people’s hopes have fallen to the ground from failures. This is an emergency! There are tears from the Saints for the lost and unsaved. We’re crying for them come back home, were crying for them come back home. And all your children will stretch out their hands and pick up the crippled man, Father we will lead them home, Father we will lead them home.”
This song has really resonated with me as we see all around us the effects of broken homes, shattered lives and an often overwhelming sense of hopelessness. Every time I encounter hurt in the lives of those in our families, our neighborhoods and our community I question where people find hope. What is the source of strength to persevere through difficult circumstances? As the song says, “this is an emergency!” We all encounter on a regular basis the desperation and devastation of shattered lives. I know my source of strength and hope comes from my faith in God and my Savior Jesus Christ. He is the Rock that I can stand on; my hope in times of trouble. God’s Word says in Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Notice the words of Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you-- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life.” Truly we do have an incredible helper for the dark and lonely times. We can turn to Him when we need hope and strength.