The song "Bones" by the music group The Bergamot, was released during World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in 2019. The opening lyrics are the words Nathaniel Hoff, one of the members of The Bergamot, spoke to his brother when he was released from the hospital after an unsuccessful suicide attempt.  These lyrics resonate with our human condition and the weight we often bear in life.

Bones: The Framework for Bearing Burdens

The imagery of "bones" in the song represents structure and strength. Just as physical bones provide a framework for our body, spiritually, we need an inner foundation to carry life's burdens. Without bones—without spiritual strength and resilience—we crumble under the world’s weight. This echoes the words of Jesus when He speaks of building our lives on the rock: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). Christ is the foundation upon which we stand, and it is through Him that we find the strength to carry on.

Without this foundation, your burdens feel impossible to carry. But with the strength that God provides, you can endure and grow stronger. Just as bones are strengthened through resistance, your spiritual life is fortified through trials. James 1:2-4 reminds us, “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.”

The Weight of Stone: When Wings Can’t Fly

The second metaphor in the song speaks of wings made of stone—a powerful image of feeling trapped, unable to rise above the challenges of life. Many of us know this feeling. Our circumstances weigh us down, making it feel impossible to move forward, much less soar.

In Isaiah 40:31, we find a promise of renewed strength: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” When our wings feel like stone, it’s because we’re trying to carry burdens we were never meant to bear on our own. God offers us the wings of eagles, not to escape our struggles, but to rise above them in His strength.

The Call to Let Go

At the heart of this reflection is a call to surrender. The burdens we carry are not ours alone. Jesus invites us to lay our burdens at His feet: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We often resist this, trying to carry the weight ourselves, yet only when we surrender can we experience the freedom that Christ offers.

As I reflect on these lyrics, I am reminded that my strength is not in my ability to bear burdens, but in the One who bears them for me.

You and I cannot fly with wings of stone, but when we trust in God, He exchanges our stone wings for wings of faith. This trust, this surrender, allows us to rise above the weight of our trials and experience the freedom only He can give.

Finding Strength in Christ

The lyrics of "Bones" beautifully illustrate the tension between the weight of life’s burdens and the strength that comes from faith. We know that our bones are strengthened by the trials we endure, and our wings—our hope and trust in God—are renewed when we surrender to Him.

Let us, therefore, carry our burdens in the strength of Christ, trusting that in our weakness, His power is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). And when the weight feels unbearable, remember that you do not walk this journey alone. He is with you, giving you the strength to stand, to soar, and to overcome.

If you’re struggling with the burdens of life, maybe Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments is for you too. You can get it on Amazon, either as an eBook or a paperback. Grab an extra copy while you're at it—maybe someone you know needs it more than they realize. Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/4d13EDd

And if it speaks to you, I’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon. Your thoughts help Embracing Gethsemane find its way into the hands of more people who need it.

Let’s keep pushing through the hard times together.

Jim
The Chaplain Writer
www.thechaplainwriter.com