Carry On

Feb. 3, 2014

by Bob Farrell
Not This Day

Sometimes life simply engulfs us in gigantic tidal waves of care, woe, trouble, calamity— and sweeps us out into a vast ocean of heartbreak, depression, despair, loneliness, failure.

And there is such a capricious and serendipitous quality to life’s tidal waves, storming in upon us so unexpected and random, with no rhyme or reason. Just when things seem to be going so very right, in slams a monster, seemingly just to take us down a peg or two or remind us of where we live.

Almost like the fate of fallen souls living on a fallen planet, huh? Well, we are—and we forget that those life forces that roar in on us are spiritual in origin. It’s like this:

In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve did far more than simply eat of forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In that lone act they essentially sacrificed living in perfect harmony with their Creator and turned over the lease of planet Earth to the father of lies: the Satanic serpent who tempted them into “becoming like God.”

Sin came into the world, infecting every single generation since with a disease carried down through our blood. And chaos and calamity began to fall upon the race of man on his fallen planet.

That means all of life comes under this curse, even the elements, which the Apostle Paul tells us “groan awaiting their day of redemption.” Anything and everything can happen at any time and does: random, viscous, grievous.

The reigning prince of this earth is Satan, which in itself is quite depressing. But it is vital that us earthlings stand upon another immutable truth: the eternal and reigning King of the universe will one day destroy the devil.

Created Man was able not to sin; Fallen Man is not able not to sin; one day Redeemed Man will not be able to sin—the temptor will burn forever in a lake of fire.

So, the good news is a day of final redemption is coming. Planet earth’s inhabitants will be delivered from sin and the devil—the lion will lay down next to the lamb—the elements will be redeemed.

But until that day life will keep on doing what it has done since man’s story got re-written in the Garden—and it’s destructive waves will continue to sweep over us and tragedy befall us.

And what must we do in the meantime?

We carry on.



We remind ourselves who made us and abides with us.

GOD OF BOUNDLESS UNIVERSE

LORD, YOU SHAPED ME FROM MY BIRTH

YOU ARE THERE—YOU ARE THERE

IN THE GLORY OF THE STARS

THE VAST CATHEDRAL OF MY HEART

YOU ARE THERE—YOU ARE THERE

Who promises never to forsake us.

I’M NEVER LEFT ON MY OWN

CARRIED IN THE ARMS OF YOUR POWER I GO ON

TILL THE NIGHT BECOMES THE DAWN 

Whose great love sustains us and empowers us to overcome.

YOUR LOVE IS LIFE TO ME—YOU ARE MY DESTINY

CARRY ON—CARRY ON

O, GOD OF AWESOME MIGHT

YOU DRAW ME TO YOUR LIGHT

CARRY ON—CARRY ON—CARRY ON

MY LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS—CARRY ON

I have always taught my children and grandchildren that life is not fair—certainly Jayne and I dealt with this head-on when the Nashville Flood of 2010 destroyed our home and most of our belongings. We had to re-learn the principles of faith and trust in God—which you can read about in my upcoming book, When The Rains Fall: Trusting God When Things Look Impossible.

When trouble comes it doesn’t mean God is mad at us or has abandoned us, it’s just part of the spiritual death curse we live under on our fallen planet. Anything—anywhere—anytime.

“Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” asked Paul. “Thank God it is done through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

GOD WHO RULES THE SKY AND SEA

CALMS THE STORMS THAT RAGE IN ME

CARRY ON—CARRY ON

Your strength to carry on comes from on high, from the One who knows all things and “works in all things for the good, for those called according to His purpose.” When you stand strong amidst trials and tribulations—loss of home, health, loved one, job—you “live by faith and not by sight.” Though you may ask God, “Why?”, which you are free to do, know that He may never reveal that to you—may deem that such knowledge would not work together for your good.

Our heavenly Father knows best—He who esteems you so highly that He gave His only son to break your death curse.

LORD OF HEAVEN—LORD OF EARTH

LORD WHO GIVES ME SENSE OF WORTH

CARRY ON—CARRY ON

Jesus faced the worst life could throw at Him and overcame death and the grave.

NO GREATER KING EVER KNOWN

PASSION WAS THE CRIMSON STAIN OF YOUR ROBE

I WILL FALL BEFORE YOUR THRONE

When life throws the very worst it can muster against you act by faith—stand strong—fall down before His throne—pray for wisdom and light—and thank Him for the beautiful and the beastly.

Whatever storms rage upon you, remember: “This, too, shall pass”— and that one day this world of strife and pain will itself pass away.

But this is not that day—yet.

Carry on.

(lyrics from “Carry On” by Bob Farrell, Music Michael W. Smith, circa. 1994, recorded by Sandi Patty: Find It On the Wings)

photo credit: centuriespast.tumblr.com