Dig a Little Deeper (Devotional and Song)

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Devotional: Breaking the Chains of Time

We often hear the phrase “time heals all wounds,” promising that with enough time, pain will fade. However, as we reflect on the writing below, the reality of heartache is much more complex. Time alone can feel endless and lonely, amplifying the echoes of our struggles rather than soothing them.

Psalm 34:18 reminds us of a deeper truth: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This scripture acknowledges that while time may play a role in healing, it is the presence of God that truly mends our deepest wounds. The reality is that oftentimes, the very pain we are experiencing can feel like a heavy burden, trapping us in cycles of grief and despair, leaving us to wonder if we can ever break free.

In the vivid imagery of echoes in a great canyon, we see how the pain we carry can resound in our minds, relentless and overpowering. But we are not meant to suffer in the echoes in our minds. God doesn’t simply ask us to endure; He invites us to bring our heartaches to Him. The cries we share in prayer are heard, and each tear is recognized. We learn that healing through God’s grace is not merely about waiting for time to pass but about actively engaging with Him, surrendering our battles, and allowing His love to embrace us.

When the darkness of night surrounds us and those haunting memories emerge, it’s then that we can lean into God’s promises. He is our refuge in times of trouble, and His strength can transform our suffering into testimonies of hope. In our darkest moments, when it feels as if we’re shouting into a void, we can trust that God’s silence is not absence but an invitation to draw near, to encounter His love in fresh and profound ways.

So, what do we do “in the meantime”? We turn towards God, whose light can pierce through the darkness. We lay our burdens down, we seek support in our community, and we remind ourselves that healing is not linear or simply time-based; it is unique to each of us. Every emotion we experience is valid, and God meets us in every moment, both joyful and painful.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before You with my wounds laid bare, seeking Your healing touch in the depths of my anguish. Help me to remember that I am never alone in my pain and that You are close to the brokenhearted. Grant me the courage to bring my struggles to You, for only in Your love can true healing occur. Strengthen me to navigate this journey, trusting in Your grace and presence every step of the way.

Closing Thought

As you move through today, remember that God invites you into a relationship of healing—one that transcends the limitations of time. Lean on Him, and let His love provide the solace your heart seeks. Remember, it’s not just about giving it time; it’s about entrusting yourself to the One who holds eternity in His hands.

A Writing

They say that time
Is all it takes

Time will heal
…Every mistake
…Every loss
…Every wound
…Every wrong-doing
…Every abuse
…Every tragedy
…Every pain

Time heals all
That’s what they say

Just give it more time
Eventually I’ll be fine
I’ll see, just trust
The pain will go away
It won’t hurt so much tomorrow
Eventually I’ll forget
I won’t feel so bad
Just give it time
Just give it
Just
More time
Time

Echoing in my brain
The words are bouncing
Off the walls
Off the walls of an echo chamber
The echo chamber between my ears
Time
Time
Time
TIME
TIME
TIME

And finally I scream
I don’t want to hear it any more
Falling to my knees
Wrapped up like a ball of string
Wrapping my arms tightly
Tightly around my stomach
My head between my knees
And I cry deeply
I bawl out in anguish
Until silently I cry
So much I cry
Until the tears
Until the tears are dry
In anguish
I cry
Alone I cry
All alone I cry
And wonder why
I wonder why
Why this works for everyone else
But not for me
Why not for me?

“What’s wrong with me?”
“Oh God, what’s wrong with me?”
“Why am I the only one?”
“Why doesn’t Time heal me?”

I dare not tell anyone
I can’t talk to anyone
They would think I am crazy
Crazy in the head
I’m broken
I can’t be fixed
I deserve what I get

And so…at night
I weep
In my pillow I weep

Night
After
Night
After
Night
The cycle repeats itself endlessly

And one day
One day
I read a book
And I decide
Sure I can beat this thing

All I have to do is one simple thing
Just follow one simple rule
It’s simple
I just have to follow one simple rule
I just have to fake it
That’s it
I just have to fake it
Fake it until I make it
Fake it until I
Fake it until
Fake it
Until I Make It

I just have to give it more time
And…Everything…Will…Be…Ok

But until then
What do I do?
Until then…what?
What do I do…in the mean…time?

In the night
In the middle of the night
In the night the voices call
They call out my name
Bringing me back
Back again
Back to the nightmare
To the nightmare of my pain
To when it happened
To the place it happened
To hear the sounds
To smell the stench
To see the tragedy
To the place where it all began
I try to silence them
Silence them any way I can
But I can’t dodge the truth
Because truth won’t run
The truth won’t run, like I do
Truth stands steady
Like the immovable object
Truth won’t budge

And in the morning I tell myself it’ll be okay
And that I’m gonna get better on another day

Finally
Finally it’s morning
I slam the alarm
I cover my head
Beating my pillow
I wish I were dead

And then I awake
I finally awake
I wake to realize
Nothing has changed
Nothing
Not a thing
No it’s all the same
I’m living another groundhog day

And all of this
All of this journey
Is the endless cycle
So craftily spun
So craftily spun by the Evil One
To keep me from God’s Love and Grace
To keep me from seeing His Holy Face
To keep me locked in my own prison cell
To keep me from drinking water from the well
From the well of Everlasting refreshment
From the well of Everlasting healing

Down deep I know it’s a lie
Because I know
If time were the only thing
Then I’d be getting better
With the passing of every day

But here’s the honest to God truth
Yes, it will take time
But I already knew that
I already knew it would take time
But time isn’t all it takes
There’s one more thing I don’t want to do
And I know that too
Because it’s going to be hard
I know that too
It’s going to be hard

I must dig
I must dig a little deeper
I must dig into the scars
I must dig a little deeper
To cut through the scar tissue
To cut through the scar tissue that has me fooled
To cut through the scar to get to the original pain
To open up that wound
To open the wound I don’t want to open
I gotta dig deeper
I gotta dig a little deeper
To open the wound
So it can drain
So it can drain the toxins that are keeping me down
So it can drain the toxins and heal again

Yes, it’s scary
It’s downright frightening if I think I’m all alone
If I think I have no one there to help me
Yes, it’s scary as hell
But it doesn’t have to be

But it’s necessary to dig a little deeper
And it’s going to hurt like hell

And for this to work I can’t numb this pain
I can’t tip the bottle dry
I can’t swallow that pill
I can’t inhale that drag
And I can’t snort that line

No no…
It’s going to hurt like hell
But that’s what it takes
So I can feel again
So I can laugh again
So I can cry real tears again
So I can feel real pain again
So I can experience real joy again
So I can live again
So I can love again

And so that I can be loved by those around me

But here’s the thing…
I don’t have to do this alone…
If all I will do is tell someone

Lyrics: Dig a Little Deeper

VVerse 1
They say that time can heal what’s broke,
But it just whispers empty hope.
I’ve waited long, I’ve played the game,
But every day still feels the same.

The echoes say, “Just give it time,”
But time’s been cruel to heart and mind.
If healing comes with every day,
Why do I still feel this way?

Pre-Chorus
I tried to fake it ’til I made it,
But I can’t outrun what’s breaking me.

Chorus
So I’m gonna dig a little deeper,
Down where the hurting hides.
Open the scar so grace can reach,
The pain that’s buried deep inside.
It’s gonna hurt, I know it will,
And healing starts when I finally feel.
I’m gonna dig, dig a little deeper,
’Til I find my soul.

Verse 2
The night comes calling like before,
I see those shadows on my door.
Every memory wakes again,
I feel the weight I can’t defend.

Truth won’t run, it stands its ground,
And mercy whispers through the sound:
“You’re not alone, I’m still right here,
Even in your tears.”

Pre-Chorus
I’ve tried to numb it, tried to drown it,
But grace keeps reaching down for me.

Verse 3 (The Turning Point)
Morning breaks, the light comes in,
A softer voice beneath my skin.
The chains I wore begin to slide,
As mercy breathes me back to life.

I feel Your love in every breath,
A quiet peace where fear once slept.
I’m not the same, I’m waking new,
The pain is real — but so are You.

Bridge
I can’t do this on my own,
But I was never meant to be alone.
You reach into the mess I’ve made,
And call my broken heart by name.
You say, “Come and drink from the well that won’t run dry.”
And for the first time, I believe — I’m alive.

Final Chorus
So I dig a little deeper,
You meet me in the pain.
You wash my wounds with holy light,
And I am whole again.
It hurts, but I can feel again,
I can laugh, I can cry again.
’Cause I dug, I dug a little deeper,
And I found You there within.

Outro
Time can’t heal what only Love can mend,
But Your grace is faithful to the end.
So I’ll dig, dig a little deeper,
Until I find You there.

Dying Changes Everything

Song:

Devotional: Dying Changes Everything

Scripture:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Narrative

Life has a way of dragging us into the swamp — the places where our failures, fears, and sin feel like quicksand, pulling us deeper until hope feels out of reach. In those moments, it can feel like we’re gasping for air, drowning under the weight of our own brokenness.

But God’s Word reminds us that the answer isn’t to claw harder at the mud. The answer is surrender. Paul says that the old self must die so Christ can live in us. That’s the paradox of the gospel: almost dying changes nothing, but truly dying — dying to ourselves, our pride, our control — changes everything.

When we release the life we thought we could build on our own, Jesus breathes His Spirit into us. Suddenly, what looked like the end becomes the beginning. Death to the flesh makes way for new life in the Spirit. What once was a swamp of despair becomes holy ground where God’s grace raises us up.

This is not just a one-time experience; it’s a daily choice. Every day we lay down our old ways — our self-reliance, our selfish desires — and step into resurrection life. And every day, Christ proves faithful, filling our lungs with hope, peace, and power we could never muster on our own.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the mystery of the cross — that in dying, I find life. Teach me how to surrender fully, to lay down the things I cling to that keep me from You. Breathe Your Spirit into me today. Let my old ways stay buried, and let new life rise in me through Your power. May my story, my worship, and my testimony point to You alone. In Your name I pray, amen.

Writing:

THUMP thump…THUMP thump…thump… thump…thum

I gasp for air
This is it
My last breath
As I exhale slowly

My eyelids close
My vision fades
Silence crashes into the room
Like rolling thunder

The walls melt
Like ice cream on a hot summer day

What is that noise?
What is that blinding light?
As the thin veil between this life and the next
Is split from top to bottom

Tick tock…Tick tock…tock…tock…toc

Chronos – time stops now

They’re standing around me
Some busy
Some just watching

And some…
…aren’t flesh and blood

Who are they?
These orbs of light
Floating around my bed
As if preparing me for flight
Seeing if I am dead?
Pulling me through the veil without a fight

Kairos – His time is now

“CLEAR!” … BAMB!!!

My head jerks back
I’m thrust as if shot out of a canon
I’m traveling through a tunnel
Swirling flashes
Faster…faster…at the speed of light
I gasp for air
The veil is sealed once again

Where am I, now???

Some things cannot be unseen…
…unheard
…unfelt

And I will never be the same…because…

Almost dying changes nothing
Dying changes everything

Song: Dying Changes Everything

Verse 1
I’m sinking deep, the waters rising
Lost inside this broken place
Breathing in the weight of silence
Drowning in my own disgrace
My eyes grow dim, my strength is failing
Shadows closing all around
But in the stillness I hear You whisper
“Child, you will be found”

Pre-Chorus
Tick tock… time fades out
Your voice breaks through the doubt

Chorus
Almost dying changes nothing
Dying changes everything
I release the chains I’m clutching
Now I rise on eagle’s wings
Spirit lifts me from the waters
Breath of heaven fills my lungs
In surrender I discover
New life rising with the Son

Verse 2
The veil is torn, the light is breaking
Your time has forever come
Flames of mercy burn around me
Pulling me to Kingdom’s throne
Grace like lightning strikes my spirit
Love restores my heart again
No more running, no more hiding
I am free in Jesus’ name

Pre-Chorus
Tick tock… time fades out
Your voice breaks through the doubt

Chorus (Big)
Almost dying changes nothing
Dying changes everything
I release the chains I’m clutching
Now I rise on eagle’s wings
Spirit lifts me from the waters
Breath of heaven fills my lungs
In surrender I discover
New life rising with the Son

Bridge (Build)
I have crossed from death to life
You’re the fire, You’re the light
Nothing stands but Jesus Christ
Dying changes everything
(Repeat as needed, rising each time)

Verse 3
Now I stand, my chains are broken
Every shadow swept away
Hope is rising, faith has spoken
Night has turned to brighter day
I will sing of resurrection
Testify to what You’ve done
From the grave into Your glory
All my battles now are won

Final Chorus / Tag
Almost dying changes nothing
Dying changes everything
I am living in Your presence
Breathing heaven’s holy breath

Outro (Soft, reflective)
THUMP… thump… (heartbeat slows)
Tick… tock… time is gone
Eternal life has just begun
Jesus, You’re my only song
Dying changed it all

Eyes Wide Open – Window Box Shattered Part 1

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

__________________________________________________

We don’t see things clearly yet. We’re seeing things in a fog, peering through the reflection of a looking glass. But eventually we’ll see it all, as clearly as God sees us, and seeing Him face-to-face as he knows us…without our mask…as we are.

But until then…

Chronos – time marches on

I will continue to live in my window box. In my prison…as a fraction of the person I could be…because that’s how I think “they” want me to live…
…dressed up
…made up
…perfection
…flawless
…selfish
…stoic
…fake
…empty
…frail
…emotionless
…numb
…wanting
…lost
…pain
…loneliness

And in the quietness of my empty world…I hear it…I see it…with a whisper… It’s time…

Kairos – His time is now

…It’s time to shatter the window box…

…It’s time to walk free on the sidewalk of life…

…and be… ME

…as He made me
…as He sees me
…as He desires me to be
…with my imperfections
…with my strengths
…giving
…full of emotion
…real…without pretension
…getting the most out of life
…taking advantage of every moment
…weak, sometimes
…strong, sometimes
…constantly seeking adventure
…feeling pain, and learning from it
…being alone, but being okay with it
…finding companionship…and risking the adventure of it
…full…of…everything…life…has…to…offer
…with eyes wide open…

…for now I can see…what He made me to be…

Forgiveness Requires Remembrance: A conversation with my past (Devotional and Song)

Song:

Scripture:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32

Walking in the Light of Forgiveness (Devotional):

In our quiet moments of introspection, we may find ourselves facing a familiar silhouette—an echo of the person we once were. The image, outlined by a soft glow, invites us to pause and reflect on the contrasts within us: the friend we nurture and the foe we sometimes become to ourselves. This inner dialogue mirrors our journey with God—a journey from darkness, marked by pain and retaliation, toward a radiant hope defined by forgiveness.

Imagine standing in a dimly lit room, the only guide a shadow that seems at once both foreign and achingly familiar. When we ask, “Who are you?” we may be questioning the remnants of old anger, the wounds that have yet to heal, and the part of us that clings to the law of retaliation—a law that demands an eye for an eye. But God’s call is different. It is a call to remember that there is another way, a path that leads from bitterness to the liberating power of forgiveness.

As the shadow speaks—its words echoing the pain of past transgressions—it also offers a gentle invitation: “There’s another way the Spirit wants you to know.” In that moment, the familiar darkness begins to recede, replaced by the promise of healing. The journey is not without its challenges. At times, the pull toward old habits may feel as if it drags us back into a valley of regret. Yet, with each step, as we walk through the night toward the rising sun, we are reminded that forgiveness is not merely an act of letting go, but an embrace of a new beginning.

From a hilltop, we might see the multitude of faces—friends, family, even strangers—all walking their own paths, each carrying their stories. In the midst of this collective journey, we are gently urged to set aside the daggers of anger and resentment. Instead, we are called to extend grace, to let the warmth of forgiveness melt away the remnants of hurt. This transformation is not instantaneous, but like the slow yet sure ascent of the sun, it promises a new day filled with hope, healing, and reconciliation.

Let this devotional serve as a reminder that our past does not define us. In the light of Christ’s love, we are invited to remember who we truly are—a beloved child of God, capable of extending and receiving forgiveness. Our scars, though reminders of past pain, become testimonies of grace when we allow the Spirit to lead us toward wholeness.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
In the quiet of this moment, I open my eyes to the shadows of my past. Help me to see clearly the ways in which old hurts and regrets have shaped me, and grant me the strength to let them go. Lead me on the path of forgiveness and healing, that I may embrace the new beginning You offer. Fill my heart with Your compassion and guide my steps as I walk into the light of Your love. I thank You for Your endless grace and pray that I might extend that same grace to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Writing:

I open my eyes
I see a silhouette outlined by the glow

“Who are you?”
I yell out, “Are you my friend or my foe?”

Emerging from the shadows
I see the likeness of me a long time ago

“Are you lost?” I ask
“Can you remember the direction you should go?”

Then it turns to me
I see the fresh blood from its eye socket flow

“What could this be?”
“Lex Talionis, the Law of Retaliation on me you bestow?”

“An eye for eye?”
“A tooth for a tooth, is this what you think I owe?”

“Is this all I’ve become?”
“Nothing more than the bitter daggers I throw?”

It says to me,
“There’s another way the Spirit wants you to know.”

“You must remember.”
“For that’s the only way forgiveness can let go.”

It reaches for my hand
And drags me through the darkness…at first slow

Faster and faster it pulls
Then turns and says, “You want to get well, no?”

We journey through the night
For miles and miles until we can see the Sun’s glow

From the hill above, I look down
I see hundreds, or maybe thousands of people I know

I descend to the valley
Listening to their stories, walking among them to-and-fro

Song:

Verse 1:
I open my eyes, a silhouette in the glow,
A mirror of my past, where doubts and sorrows grow.
“Who are you?” I cry, friend or foe of my soul?
In quiet reflection, I long simply to be whole.

Pre-Chorus:
In stillness of my heart, Your mercy softly calls,
A gentle whisper of grace, breaking down these walls.

Chorus:
Oh, forgiveness grows; let Your shining light come through,
Mending every broken part with a love so true.
As You forgave, oh Lord, help me forgive anew,
In the light of Your mercy, I’m made brand new.

Verse 2:
From the shadows of regret, echoes of pain arise,
Old daggers of retaliation once blinded my eyes.
Yet a voice within the darkness declares, “There’s another way,”
Leading me from bitter nights into the promise of day.

Pre-Chorus:
Every step toward the dawn, Your Spirit guides my way,
Turning scars to testimonies in the warmth of Your ray.

Bridge:
From a hilltop I behold a multitude of grace,
Every story, every soul, redeemed by Your embrace.
No longer bound by past mistakes or the weight of old regret,
In Your compassion, Lord, I rise—forever unforget

Verse 3:
I descend into the valley where Your truth is all I know,
Listening to hearts set free, where gentle rivers flow.
The shadow fades into the light, and I hear that loving call:
“Remember, let forgiveness grow; in Your love, you have it all.”

Chorus:
Oh, forgiveness grows; let Your shining light come through,
Healing every wounded heart with a love so true.
As You forgave, oh Lord, help me forgive anew,
In the light of Your mercy, I’m made brand new.

Outro:
In the quiet of Your mercy, I rise into the day,
Every burden washed away by the grace You freely say.
Lord, I offer up my heart, in awe of all You do—
Forever singing, “In Your light, I am made new.”

Free

Free

You’re my friend…
not my pet laying at my feet.

I won’t tie you up,
or fence you in,
or put you in a cage.

That’s not what our relationship should be.

You’re a bird in flight soaring high toward the setting Sun.

I look up to see your strong wings
push you to new heights.

You are free…
…to soar beside me.
…to soar beyond me.
…to soar without me.
…to see the world through your eyes.

But most of all, you are free…
…to return to our nest.
…to take refuge from the world.
…and lay beside me.