The definition of irony is I promised this post would be done four weeks ago

I really love a lot of different kinds of music for a lot of different reasons. Before I wrote this, I went and looked at the eclectic and unusual mix of music I have at home. Within a few inches of each other, I have Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical, Wolfmother, Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits, and Norah Jones.

But one of my favorite all-time bands is Third Day; just a good, old-fashioned, Christian, southern rock band who just happen to write incredible rock and worship songs. And one of my favorite songs from Third Day is Love Song. If you don't know it, the lyrics go like this:

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done.
I've never climbed the highest mountain
But I walked the hill of calvary

Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
How may times has he broken that promise
It can never be done
I've never swam the deepest ocean
But I walked upon the raging sea
          
I know that you don't understand
the fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize
how much that I gave you
But I promise, I would do it all again.

Just to be with you, I've done everything
There's no price I did not pay
Just to be with you, I gave everything
Yes, I gave my life away.

To me, the lyrics in this song are so moving and true, I sometimes tear up when I listen to it. The message about sacrifice and what Jesus did and and will do for us is amazing, not just in the words, but to actually think about it, reflecting on the story, and how it affects me and you not just on a page or in a song, but personally.

But what I love most about this song is not the part proclaiming Jesus' sacrifice, but rather how He has never failed and never will fail in his promises; a striking dichotomy to how we as humans normally act. My all-time favorite Ryan-to-Allison promises that I break are:

5. I promise I will make the bed before I leave
4. I promise I will go see that scary movie with you
3. I promise I will do the laundry tonight before bed
2. I promise I will go to the gym with you when I get home
1. I promise I will stop looking at Fantasy Baseball in 5 minutes

We as humans, I believe, always have good intentions. We try desperately to put other people in front of ourselves whenever we can. But let's face facts: we're fallen, we're broken, and we have a hard time keeping the simplest of commitments.

For me, an expert on breaking even the simplest of promises, I have seen that one of the most devestating ways to hurt a person is to answer them with the word "no." This couldn't be more true when we pledge something to someone.

"Were you able to pick up some food like you said you would?"

No.

"Are we going to be able to go on that vacation you promised us?"

No.

"You said mommy would be alright, is she going to be alright?"

No.

We wish for the best and always promise the best, but sometimes life just doesn't let us deliver. Fortunately, the exact opposite is true with Jesus. Look at these words from 2 Corinthians:

"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not 'Yes' and 'No,' but in him it has always been 'Yes.' For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ."

To know that for every promise God has made to me, through his son, the answer is "yes," it touches me immeasurably more than a Third Day song. All that he has offered, all that he has prepared, all the grace that I don't deserve; it is still possible through Jesus.

I hope the pledge and commitment God has made to us is not easily forgotten. But more importantly, I pray that we remember His answer will never fail to be yes. His promises will never go unbroken.

-Ryan


(Hopefully I can keep up with this thing better these days and, as always, I appreciate your feeback. Yes, even yours, Regan)