Watching ‘The Voice’ last night we were reminded of the old Paul McCartney song ‘The Long and Winding Road’.
The long and winding road that leads to your door,
Will never disappear, I’ve seen that road before
It always leads me here, lead me to your door.
The wild and windy night that the rain washed away,
Has left a pool of tears crying for the day.
Why leave me standing here, let me know the way.
The song contains familiar images that resonate with me…
The Road… Life’s journey takes us on a long road that winds one way and then another. You can never see what’s round the next bend. Sometimes the scenery is gentle and easy; sometimes it’s rugged and bleak. There are steep, difficult hills; there are dark valleys.
The Storm… The weather has a huge impact on the journey. Sometimes sun is shining and all is well; sometimes the mist hides what’s round the next corner; sometimes the storm is overwhelming… we’re drowning… floods of tears…
The Loneliness… Although it’s good to travel with others, the image in McCartney’s song is of a lone traveller facing his own lonely road. It’s a song of unrequited love, a future over which he has no control. It’s his road, his storm, his uncertainty, his aloneness.
The Door… He wants to find the door. That’s where the long and winding road leads, standing between him and the one he loves. If only he can find that door, he’ll find peace, security, love… the long and winding road has an end goal.
Many times I’ve been alone and many times I’ve cried,
Anyway you’ve always known the many ways I’ve tried,
But still they lead me back to the long, winding road,
You left me waiting here a long, long time ago.
Don’t leave me standing here, lead me to your door.
The Road… This morning I’ve been reading about Jesus calling his disciples to follow him. They had no idea where the Jesus Road would take them… and as a Jesus-follower, Jesus calls me to follow him along my life’s uncertain long and winding road.
The Storm… Jesus’ followers certainly experienced storms, bringing anxiety, fear and panic. There were ‘wild and windy nights’… And I remember the Jesus who comes to my storms and says, ‘Peace. Be Still’. And the storm becomes calm.
The Loneliness… Jesus’ followers each had to face their demons alone… Peter alone with his failure, Thomas alone with his doubt, Mary Magdalene alone with her grief… and at times I’m standing alone with my ‘pool of tears…’
The Door… The long and winding road leads to the door… Jesus says ‘I am the door’… He’s not only the means by which his followers find peace, security and love; he himself is that peace, security and love.
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