Pirate Bones.

Q: Why is your blog named 'Pirate Bones'?


A: Excellent question, let me tell you. First of all, listen to this song --

What if I squeeze myself into any shape
And I still don't fit?
What if I bend myself so much that I break
And I can't mend it?
What if I burn so bright that the fire goes out
And I can't stay lit?
What's the point in it?
I could get good at crying crocodile tears
Just to get along
I could carry on telling you what you wanna hear
'til my voice is gone
But if I finally get to the place that I think is home
And I don't belong
What's the point in it?
Where's the benefit?
When I'm gaining all but I'm losing it

[Chorus:]
It's not worth having
If it's too much to hold
You can dig so deep
That you're left with a hole
Thirsty in a desert with a bag full of gold
Don't wanna end up like pirate bones
What I thought was precious was just a pile o' stones
I might have the treasure but I'd be lying alone
Just a pile of pirate bones
If I forfeit my soul it ain't worth having
If it's something I stole it ain't worth having

What if I stake everything I am on a dream
And it's counterfeit?
If I reach the end that justifies the means
Could I live with it?
And if it's true that having too much of any good thing
Could only make me sick
What's the point in it
Where's the benefit
When I'm gaining all but I'm losing it
Oh, oh

[Chorus]

It's not worth that much to me
If losing out is what it means
To swim in shallow victory
Is empty, empty
It's just not worth the price
It's only a fools paradise
If it's draining every drop of life 'til I'm dry like pirate bones

When I hear this song these verses come to mind;
Luke 9:23-27 -- Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God."


We spend our lives chasing after useless, meaningless, empty, tangible things that leave us empty and dry-- like pirate bones. I guess I named my blog this in an effort to remind myself that I should seek after the quenching love and mercy of Jesus Christ rather than the empty things of this world, but also to document my own journey of life in which I hope to seek after Christ alone, but I remain of the flesh and find it impossible to perfectly execute life as Jesus was able to. But it's okay because by His wounds we are healed. We have been redeemed and we don't need to be perfect. But we can still seek Him with all that we have.


I struggle with the tendency to put my future on a pedestal and look forward to where I will someday be in life that I forget where I am today. If I'm constantly chasing after things that haven't happened yet-- I will never be satisfied. I am called to rest in God's sovereignty and allow him to have control over every aspect of my life. I don't want to end up like pirate bones.


Matthew 6:33-34 -- Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.


Life isn't about all of the things we can acquire---- Life is about falling on your face and worshipping your Creator. It's about giving up everything for him because you know that he is God and he is good. Trust him.


Matthew 6:19-21 -- Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.