Carry On {My} Wayward Son

Who knew what Kerry Livgren was trying to say when he penned these words in 1975? Listed on VH1's Top 100 Hard Rock Songs, this guitar slamming anthem reverberates through your brain as the angst filled vocals of Steve Walsh entwine with the plaintive notes of the keyboard.

You may wonder how I can interpret the lyrics of a rock song as relating to Jesus. I guess there is enough of the child left in me to see God in everything. If I choose to take the words to a classic rock song and find Jesus in them, who's to say I'm wrong? After all, we are not the writer, so we don't know what he meant for us to find in his words. What Kerry Livgren and Kansas found in these words was a hit single for their Leftoverture album, and that was more than they'd gotten from their first two releases. But I digress. Let's look at what are probably the most recognizable words in the song.

Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

If I lay my weary head to rest on Jesus, I have no more reason to cry. I can carry on, even though I have transgressed, for He has forgiven me, and at the end of my journey, I will find peace in Heaven. Makes sense to me. Still not convinced? Well, let's dig a little deeper.

Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say

What do I hear Jesus say? I hear him say "relax Denise, I've got it from here." Before Jesus, I saw without seeing and I thought without knowing. Until I listened to the quiet voice of God, I heard nothing. Once I opened my ears, the meaning was crystal clear. If I follow with trust, He will lead me home.

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Heaven does wait for me, because I believe in the power of Jesus. Heaven waits for me, because I trust in Him. Heaven waits for me because I chose to give my life to He whose power is the greatest of all. Without Him, I can do nothing ... but that's another song ...

Lord, I thank you for the gift of trust. I thank you for the gift of faith, and for your neverending, all encompassing love. Thank you for deeming me worthy. Please help me show your amazing, wonderful grace.

"I will heal their waywardness, and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them." ~Hosea 14:4 NIV