I came to read a post in DesiringGod, which records and publishes all John Piper’s sermons and messages, free of charge, (Amen! I like free stuffs) for the edification of the many, in the world. This post title is unique and intriguing enough for me to click, “Insanity and Spiritual Songs in the Soul of a Saint”(see note 1), though it still puzzled me after reading the whole content.
What amazes me was it was about a life of a man, who experiencing lack of love from family, constant brutality in his early childhood in a boarding school, rejection and separation of love for his potential soul-mate, pressure and stress of his father’s political enemies, attempted multiple suicides throughout his life during depression and his bent to melancholy and sadness till his death. I can’t imagine having the strength and sanity to live such a life. Not without Him.
The story of this man brought me to my own life, where I was struggling with my life, not till insanity, but perhaps depression, which I believed I have no idea what it means at the point of time, if it wasn’t Him who interfere but chancing on the story of Him, just like William Cowper.
But I am glad I have my family who love me, friends who stood by me during my toughest period, and soon I found myself studying in one of the best schools in the region. I am still struggling still and the life of William Cowper, show that it was the same for him. What keep me going in life everyday is found in Roman 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith…but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
The difference is that the lives we live now is not ours, but belong to Him and for His purpose and for His glory, may we live to exhibit that. I pray the same for you.
1. John Piper, DesiringGod.com
