You and me… untouched.

Yes, I’m guilty. I did my devotions listening to an atheist.

Silvio Rodríguez is the most representative singer of the Cuban Revolutionary Movement. As you may know, Cuba is the only communist country in the western world. Fidel Castro, and now his brother Raúl, are not presidents but dictators. Silvio Rodriguez learned to play the guitar in the beginning of revolution in Cuba, among rifles and bullets. Lots of his songs are pro-revolution. Nevertheless, I am not interested in giving a full biography (you can read it here). But I want to tell you that, to me, Silvio Rodríguez  is one of the most talented and sensitive men I’ve ever known. He sings poetry. He sings his thoughts, and he does not restrain from telling the world some uncomfortable truths. When I listen to some of his songs, I can feel the passion of humanity. Men, women, children; all of them struggling to survive, to love in a world full of hatred. That said, I want to tell you that God has been talking to me through this unique singer. The other day I was laying down in my bed and I paid attention to this song from the seventies “Al final de este viaje en la vida“ (At the end of this journey through life). A tear moisturized my cheek…

Here you have an attempt of translation (It is not literal but trying to keep the original meaning):

 

 

Al final de este viaje en la vida quedarán

At the end of this journey through life our bodies will remain;

 

nuestros cuerpos hinchados de ir

 

 

a la muerte, al odio, al borde del mar.

Swollen bodies because of going to death, to hate, to the shore of  the sea.

 

 

Al final de este viaje en la vida quedará

At the end of this journey through life our trace will remain;

 

nuestro rastro invitando a vivir.

A trace inviting others to live.

Por lo menos por eso es que estoy aquí.

At least that is the reason that I am still here.

 

 

Somos prehistoria que tendrá el futuro,

We are prehistory that the future will have,

 

somos los anales remotos del hombre.

We are the remote annals of mankind.

 

Estos años son el pasado del cielo;

These years are the past of Heaven;

 

estos años son cierta agilidad

These years are some kind of agility

 

con que el sol te dibuja en el porvenir,

that the sun is using to draw you in the future;

 

son la verdad o el fin, son Dios.

They are the truth or the end, they are God.

 

Quedamos los que puedan sonreír

The ones remaining are those capable of smiling

 

en medio de la muerte, en plena luz.

in the midst of death, in broad light.

 

 

Al final de este viaje en la vida quedará

una cura de tiempo y amor,

At the end of this journey through life a cure of love and time will remain;

una gasa que envuelva un viejo dolor.

a gauze to wrap an old pain.

 

Al final de este viaje en la vida quedarán

nuestros cuerpos tendidos al sol

At the end of this journey through life our bodies laying under the sun will remain,

 

como sábanas blancas después del amor.

just as white sheets remain after love.

 

 

Al final del viaje está el horizonte,

At the end of the journey is the horizon,

 

al final del viaje partiremos de nuevo,

at the end of the journey we will leave again,

 

al final del viaje comienza un camino,

at the end of the journey a new path starts,

 

otro buen camino que seguir

 

descalzos contando la arena.

another good path to follow as we count the sand with bare feet.

 

Al final del viaje estamos tú y yo intactos.

At the end of the journey you and I are untouched.

 

Quedamos los que puedan sonreír

The ones staying are those capable of smiling

en medio de la muerte, en plena luz.

in the midst of death, in broad light.

En plena luz…

In broad light

(now listen to the song as you read the lyrics again)

So, I had listened to that song before, but that day I realized how spiritual it was. In fact, I felt filled with joy. Overwhelmed by joy. As C.S. Lewis would say, “Surprised by joy.” Christian life is like a race. There are many runners but most of them give up too soon. You know what? I really enjoy life. I really enjoy being as I am. Sometimes I feel the happiest man in the world. Next day I can feel the most miserable creature on earth. That is not because I am crazy, nor I lack faith; not at all. The reason is that I am human and I am in a journey. That journey is easy sometimes, but other times it is so hard that I feel like dying. My life is a journey as well as yours.

So, what does make a difference for joy in this life? Silvio is clear, “the ones staying are those capable of smiling in the midst of death, [those who can stand] in broad light.” I want to be one of those! We humans are experts at complaining. “You don’t understand my problem Ánderson”, that’s what I hear all of the time in ministry. Nevertheless, this is not about demonstrating that you have bigger problems than me. No. This is about whether or not you are going to rise up and walk your path.

There are at least two kind of people in this world. People that let life go through them, and those who go through life. The first ones are mediocre, the second ones are remembered. The first ones try to avoid problems and when they can’t, they are defeated forever. The second ones learn how to face problems, and even if they are defeated, they rise up again, stronger than before. That is the kind of people who leave a trace; a trace that challenges others to live. And I sing along with Rodríguez, “That is the reason that I’m still here.”

Dear partner, I can tell you for sure that I am not the answer to your problems. Actually, I am just another lame trying to finish the race. Sometimes I see your pain. I really try to understand your fears, but, sad as it is, I cannot promise that I won’t fail you. I’ve failed a lot of people before, even those that I love. There is no guarantee, neither there is a reason to ask for one. O but trust me partner! In the end of this journey, you and I will be untouched!!

The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues.
Philippians 1:23-25

Would you like to be my partner in this journey?