My Love Goes Free
September 16, 2009
I don’t know why Jon Foreman wrote this song. It seems that he was writing to someone he loves who had to go away to be able to truly sing her song. She’d been caged her whole life and she had to be set free to really be able to fly. The italics are mine, because right now they’re what I’m imagining God and my community are singing to me.
The movement comes in slow
It’s a tune we both should know
But the walls are thin
So we keep our voices low
You’re a bird with a pretty mouth
You’re a bird with songs to shout
And the same refrain continues singing out:
“If you love her let her go.”
She sings beautiful and slow
A tune that only caged birds know.
So you’re in Nashville on the phone
And I’m back here at home
And the words are new
But I recognize the tone:
“If you love her let her go.”
She sings beautifully composed.
A tune that only caged birds know.
My love goes free.
My love goes free.
My love goes free.
He said a long time ago that He would teach me how to walk. Now He’s told me He’s teaching me how to fly. My wings hurt. I’m scared to leave the nest. What if I can’t find food? What if I fall and hurt myself? He said I won’t be hurled headlong. (Ps. 37)
Something far more significant that just my journey is happening now. When Paul and Silas were in the Philippian jail, they were singing out loud, and everyone could hear them. And everyone in that jail had their chains fall off when the earthquake came. The other prisoners didn’t go anywhere, and we don’t know if they were set free or not. But I can’t help but wonder if maybe this was the first church in Phillipi, headed up by the jailer. A true prison church. Those prisoners were set free in their spirits when Paul and Silas sang out their praise. (Acts 16). And do you know what Paul’s primary message was later when he wrote them a letter? “Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 3:1, 4:4)
I will rejoice in You. I will sing out loud even though my neighbors can hear me. I will make my requests known to You and not be anxious about anything (Phil. 4:6). And I will trust that You will finsh the work You’ve started (1:6) and provide everything I need (4:19). My Love has set me free, and I will learn how to fly and sing this song He’s given me.
