Country singer/songwriter Cody Johnson brings a poignant message about life to those who truly listen to the lyrics of his recent hit “The Fall.”
Many of us have seen the difficulty in a bull rider staying on the back of a rodeo bull for just eight short seconds.
And even if successful, the contestant still has to get off and head for cover before the bull takes off in the rider’s direction. Fortunately, several clowns are often near the scene to distract the bull.
The lyrics of Johnson’s song deal with the falls we all take in life.
Let me share just the chorus with you: “The ride is worth the fall. The fall was worth the smiles. The smiles were worth the tears. Tears were worth the miles. Miles were worth the pain. Pain was worth it all. It’s all worth this life. The life is worth the ride. The ride is worth the fall.”
Like many in the music industry, Johnson appears to have gotten caught up in a lifestyle that was not pleasing to God, but he has apparently picked himself up and now lives a more pleasing lifestyle for his Father in Heaven.
Eight seconds on a bull is not a simple feat. The sport has been the cause of many broken bones and concussions.
These days, many bull riders wear helmets and plenty of protective gear. Even with those aids, the sport is quite dangerous and careers are often shortened by injuries.
Most of you can better relate with falling off a bicycle after those training wheels came off. And I imagine you got up on that bicycle right away.
That’s how we must learn much in life. In fact, those who experience falls and get up off the ground are those who will often make more of the days that follow.
What really can help is having a trustworthy soul to comfort us and get us back on our feet.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, King Solomon wisely presents the value of a true friend:
“Two are better than one, for they have a good return. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
The Person whose been there over the past 40-plus years is my Comforter. He is my spiritual strength in the storms of life.
Much of what we will face in life may be a lot more challenging than surviving eight seconds on an angry bull.
And our circumstances may well continue for a very long time — perhaps a lifetime. I’ve come to accept those circumstances that I know are God’s will for my life and His purpose.
Life is good because I can count on Him and a handful of Christian friends who are there to pick me up when I get knocked down.
As shared in James 1:2-3:
“Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”