You Will Be Found

Last night we went to ‘Beyond the Barricades’ – a concert of musical theatre songs sung by touring West End. There were songs from Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Blood Brothers, Les Misérables… and this powerful song from Dear Evan Hansen. I love this children’s version:

Have you ever felt like nobody was there?
Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you could disappear?
Like you could fall, and no one would hear?

Well, let that lonely feeling wash away
Maybe there’s a reason to believe you’ll be okay
‘Cause when you don’t feel strong enough to stand
You can reach, reach out your hand

And oh, someone will coming running
And I know, they’ll take you home

Even when the dark comes crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
And when you’re broken on the ground
You will be found

So let the sun come streaming in
‘Cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again
Lift your head and look around
You will be found

There’s a place where we don’t have to feel unknown
And every time that you call out
You’re a little less alone
If you only say the word
From across the silence your voice is heard…

Out of the shadows
The morning is breaking
And all is new, all is new
It’s filling up the empty
And suddenly I see that
All is new, all is new
You are not alone…

‘You Will Be Found’ recognises the reality of loneliness. That there are times when we feel lost or invisible. It offers hope – ‘You are not alone’: we can find strength when we are weak and vulnerable.

It speaks about the power of community, that we can reach out to others when we are weak, vulnerable and feeling isolated, that we can offer a hand of support to those struggling with their physical and mental health.

I’m reminded again of the picture of the Good Shepherd, who goes out searching… His lost sheep isn’t alone. He will be rescued. His fear will be taken away by someone who cares about him. He will be found.

And me? I’m encouraged to be vulnerable with others, to search out the lonely and lost… those struggling through dark valleys, to listen with empathy and understanding. To live out, and bring, these two messages of hope: ‘You are not alone.’ ‘You will be found.’