The Other Side (Part 3/9)

Let’s make up a story! I love stories. The character’s name will be James. James is struggling to understand his life.

In A Million Dreams, the story begins with James realizing that God (the Man above) wants to hear all about James’ concerns and dreams.

Next, in Come Alive, James is ‘born again’ by the Spirit. He realizes he’s been living his life as a zombie and now he’s finally ready to wake up and live a meaningful life. CHOOSING to be happy in whatever circumstance he finds himself in.

But James is now thinking, “How do I change my life? I believe in God. Now what do I do? How am I suppose to give up the life I already live? I’m comfortable right where I’m at.” But what James doesn’t realize is that he is now aware that maybe being in his comfort zone is holding him back. He’s feeling that “guilt” of, “Is how I’m living I’m okay?”. His flesh is fighting against his spirit. And that’s where the song, The Other Side comes in:

The Other Side: This song is about taking chances in life. When Hugh Jackman is singing, that is God saying, “Why stay in your comfort zone? Take a risk with me. If you want to live to your full potential that I have created you for, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Trust me. You won’t regret it.”

Let’s review the lyrics!

God: Right here, right now / I put the offer out / I don’t want to chase you down / I know you see it / You run with me / And I can cut you free / Out of the drudgery and walls you keep in / So trade that typical for something colorful / And if it’s crazy, live a little crazy / You can play it sensible, a king of conventional / Or you can risk it all and see

God: Don’t you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play / ‘Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride / It’ll take you to the other side

God: ‘Cause you can do like you do / Or you can do like me / Stay in the cage, or you’ll finally take the key

Explanation: You can either stay doing the same ol’ things that haven’t work for you or you can trust God and follow Him.

Now, this is James (remember, this is our fake character in this made-up-story) negotiating with God explaining to Him that he enjoys his life and doesn’t want to change a thing. This song is for some people who know God is speaking to them to move from a situation but they are too afraid or too stubborn to move.

James: I think I’m good to go / ‘Cause I quite enjoy the life you say I’m trapped in / Now I admire you, and that whole show you do

But God never gives up on us. God continues to negotiate with James and James states:

James: “Oh, damn! Can’t you see I’m doing fine / I don’t need to see the other side.”

Explanation: James’ flesh is fighting against his spirit. His spirit wants to do good, but his flesh wants to continue living in pleasure.

God: Now is this really how you like to spend your days? / Whiskey and misery, and parties and plays

James: If I were mixed up with you, I’d be the talk of the town / Disgraced and disowned, another one of the clowns

Explanation: James believes God wants to hear all about his feelings and dreams, but James realizes if he mixes himself up with the “Christian crowd”, he will be an outcast. Well, it is true, but should that stop James?

God: But you would finally live a little, finally laugh a little / Just let me give you the freedom to dream / And it’ll wake you up and cure your aching / Take your walls and start ’em breaking / Now that’s a deal that seems worth taking / But I guess I’ll leave that up to you

Explanation: God is explaining to James that the life he currently lives is only giving him temporary happiness. What James’ soul craves for is joy; everlasting joy that actually lives inside of James and could be tapped into if he didn’t fill himself up with flesh desires.
- God places opportunities before us and gives us free will to take them or not. God won’t force us to follow Him, but He will give us the resources we need to choose to follow Him.

For the rest of the song, James finally takes the life God offers into consideration. He decides to give the “Christian life” a chance but he’s still a bit wary about the change.

In the next post, we will discuss the song, Never Enough. James is following the Lord but it hasn’t been easy.