What if I told you that peace isn’t some ethereal feeling sung about in songs or the snub to reality portrayed in the last 2 minutes of every family friendly movie? What does it actually mean to be at a state of peace within yourself? I would suggest that, following your commitment to Christ, this is one of the most important realizations you must come to in order to live an effective and motivated life.
In order to explore this topic we will look at a song that touches upon the key aspects that are critical to a deeper understanding of peace. The song Home by Bebe Rexha is a raw look at the struggle that resides over coming to peace. Before you hear my opinion on it, go and listen to the song and give yourself a moment to try to grasp the deeper meaning behind the song; it is far deeper than you might imagine at glance. I apologize if rap isn’t your preferred style; read the lyrics after you listen if you need both aspects.
Home by Bebe Rexha, Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors:
Lyrics:
Home
A place where I can go
To take this off my shoulders
Someone take me home
Home
A place where I can go
To take this off my shoulders
Someone take me home
Someone take me
Look, I didn’t power through the struggle
Just to let a little trouble, knock me out of my position
And interrupt the vision
After everything I witnessed, after all of these decisions
All these miles, feets, inches
They can’t add up to the distance
That I have been through, just to get to
A place where even if there’s no closure, I’m still safe
I still ache from trying to keep pace
Somebody give me a sign, I’m starting to lose faith
Chorus:
Now tell me, how did all my dreams turn to nightmares?
How did I lose it when I was right there?
Now I’m so far that it feels like it’s all gone to pieces
Tell me why the world never fights fair
I’m trying to find
Home
A place where I can go
To take this off my shoulders
Someone take me home
Home
A place where I can go
To take this off my shoulders
Someone take me home (it’s been a long time coming)
Someone take me
Home
Look, I been through so much pain
And it’s hard to maintain, any smile on my face
‘Cause there’s madness on my brain
So I gotta make it back, but my home ain’t on the map
Gotta follow what I’m feeling to discover where it’s at
I need the (memory)
In case this fate is forever, just to be sure these last days are better
And if I have any (enemies)
To give me the strength to look the devil in the face and make it home safe
Now tell me, how did all my dreams turn to nightmares?
How did I lose it when I was right there?
(Chorus)
I found no cure for the loneliness
I found no cure for the sickness
Nothing here feels like home
Crowded streets, but I’m all alone (someone take me)
Home, home
Take me home
Home, home, take me home
Someone take me
Home
Two initial points immediately come to mind following this song. First, we must ascertain from which perspective the author is approaching this topic. Second, what does peace mean in the vein of this song, and do we/should agree with it?
This song comes from the perspective of non-believers, so how much weight do we place on the message? I believe truth is truth no matter source it comes from, it is simply up to us to discern. Everyone is hit by life with all it’s struggles and hardships; the difference lies in how we respond.
The key difference in how a Christian responds to life versus a non-believer is that Christians have access to a free, eternal joy that can and should pervade every facet of their lives.
We know that whatever happens here should be viewed the the eternal lens of joy in Christ’s victory.
Without joy in your mind and spirit you can never come to true peace in life.
Look back at the lyrics of the song, but instead read the word home to represent finding peace (Isn’t that what home means in this instance?) Reading it in this light did you feel that the writer felt joy in his life? In his own words, he describes home (peace) as:
A place where even if there’s no closure, I’m still safe.
So we come to the core: is it possible to have joy, and consequently peace, without having closure? Can you lead a fulfilled and motivated life without knowing how the story ends? I don’t believe you can. We’re not talking about the small, daily uncertainties. These things will inevitably challenge our faith, but should never serve as the basis upon which we set the stability of our hearts and minds.
There is so much more that we could take away from these lyrics, and I would challenge you to see what else you can learn from it. There is more more point that I think we should take away, found in the repeated phrase we find in the chorus: Someone take me home.
You want an eternal, satisfying answer to find peace in your life? You must turn to an eternal solution outside of yourself. Base your thoughts and actions off the joy that Jesus can provide on a daily basis and He will grant you peace.
