While in Florida for the past several years I’ve enjoyed being part of “The Jam”. This is a group of singers and musicians made up of some of us who live here. On Thursday afternoons we perform for other residents who bring their lawn chairs to listen and relax by the local canal. Looking back I think the jam has been a training ground for me to become more confident in my singing since for my first 50 years I was a musician (pianist and clarinetist).

For the past couple years I have not been as drawn to participate but if I do I’ve wanted to only sing spiritually uplifting songs. The group loves oldies so I’ve focused on ones like “Turn, Turn, Turn” , “If I Had a Hammer”, “Light One Candle”, and the like.

As I’ve mentioned, this year was a complete reset due to Sid’s injury so I’ve not participated at all since then. As a result I’ve had a lot of time to pray and refine my thoughts on my musical journey with God at the helm. I’ve been able to start a list of songs that speak to me of Him and they have been pouring in! There have been so many synchronistic moments that have brought forth song suggestions that I just can’t wait to get started practicing!

This past Sunday morning while listening to Chagigah radio more songs made it to the list. Yet interestingly when a Simon and Garfunkel selection was aired I remembered another of their hits – “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Without all the sad details, this song was my favorite for many years starting when I was in law school, a time when I was away from home for the first time and feeling very alone. When I would listen to it I felt rescued, in a way, by the person in my life then and with whom I was with for many years thereafter. Yet that relationship was very flawed and ended. Even decades later I’ve been unable to enjoy the song since that connection to him always would come up too when I would hear it played.

Until Sunday morning . . .

That morning when I thought of that song, in the deepest of senses I felt that bridge in the lyrics was Yeshua. Clearly every word fit the amazing relationship He has with each of us on such a personal level, for He loves us as a divine lover with perfect love.  He is the one who comforts us when life is so troubled, when we’re weary, when our days can seem so dark on so many levels. He is the bridge over our stormy seas in life. This time when I heard the words I felt a complete release from the sad association I had felt for so many years and instead experienced an overwhelming feeling of Yeshua’s healing touch.

The lyrics actually speak such powerful, poignant truths about our Creator. This revelation made me wonder whether God, who has foreknowledge of everything, who mysteriously knows all even before we make our choices, whether He knew that half a century later I would come to hear this song with Yeshua in my heart??!! My favorite song then, so painful to hear for half of my life now has become a new favorite to sing praises to our Creator!

In another sense I have felt that being Messianic Jewish is like being a board on that bridge. When we speak to our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters and try to bridge that gap through heartfelt conversations, we deeply feel Yeshua’s Presence guiding us, in it with us. We are Jewish and yet believe in Yeshua, bridging yet another place of tension with our fellow Jewish brothers and sisters who do not so believe, a bridge of common beliefs and also differences. It is a troubled water under these bridges, chasms filled with thoughts, and sometimes actions, that can drown out His truth.

“When you’re weary, when you’re feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, I’ll dry them all. I’m on your side when times get rough, and friends just can’t be found.

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.

When you’re down and out, when you’re on the street, when evening falls so hard, I will comfort you. I’ll take your part when darkness comes, and pain is all around.

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.”

These words feel as if Yeshua is ministering directly to our hearts as all of us experience the waters that can swallow us up in our daily lives. He lay Himself down to provide The Way over it all.

Not only was the song redeemed, for I have added it to my list of ones that can be framed in this way, but I now love it even more deeply.

This is how He works. Our Abba through Yeshua transforms every sorrow into joy, every broken heart into one that is healed by His Love. It’s just a matter of time and patience, including in some cases the full resolution not being revealed to us in this realm.

This reality only gives us that much more reason to with great anticipation await the glorious day when we will be with Him in the fullest sense. For now I’m overwhelmingly joyous knowing He is with me, intimately in my life as He is in yours, as we strive to live each day to its fullest, redeemed by His Love and healing touch.

Shabbat shalom.

Diane