I watched a documentary of Roy Orbison’s life yesterday afternoon. For those of you who don’t know who he was he was one of the foremost musicians of his day. He had one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. He got a guitar when he was just 6 years old and became a talented guitar player, and song writer, but was perhaps best known for his operatic voice and his somber rock and roll songs. He had no formal musical training but was widely acclaimed for his song writing abilities, impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads.
He was also known as one of the nicest and most compassionate men in the music industry. He was soft spoken and generally loved in that tough business. His trademark passionate vocal style, dark ballads, and distinctive sunglasses, made him a hugely influential singer and composer.
He was raised in west Texas and had a band at the early age of just 15. He eventually got married and he and his wife, Claudette, lived in abject poverty earning just $1700 per year. Orbison kept up his song writing and singing and eventually produced some big hit songs and got a contract with several record producers.
Just when things got better for him tragedy struck. His wife died in a tragic motorcycle accident.
Next two of his sons died in a house fire in his home in Hendersonville TN. Next he had triple bypass surgery and on December 6, 1988, he flew model airplanes with his sons and had dinner at his mother’s home. Later that day, he died of a heart attack, at the age of 52.
The main thing with which I came away was his interview with a journalist who wanted to know how he was able to withstand such tragedy. He said after the tragedies he kept a deliberate steady balance in his life and waited for calm to take control of his life once again. Eventually he found that time takes care of so many things including the calm he sought.
It is an interesting concept is it not. Maintain a steady balance and wait for calm to take control. Time will take care of so many things including the calm that we seek.
I have faced much tragedy in my life. It seems to me that maintaining a steady balance and waiting for calm to take control solves the tragedy problem over time. By the time we wait it out the problem is gone.
I don’t know if that makes sense to you, but it sure does to me.
Maybe this will help: We can put our complete faith and trust in God if we will just do it. We can wait on the Lord knowing that He is with us and in control of our lives. He will do what He has promised. He will rescue and save us. He is always working for our good, even when we don’t feel Him. Through patient, courageous, active trusting, seeking, and prayer, we can learn to wait on the Lord. No, it isn’t easy, but nothing about going though trials is easy. We just need to wait.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.