May you find every step to be harder than the last

There is this song, a song that was sent to me. The lyrics are some of the most powerful I've read. So instead of trying to explain it in my inferior writing, I'll let the words speak for themselves.


Pray-Kendall Payne

I will pray for you now, for you have been my faithful friends
While the road we walk is difficult indeed
I couldn't not ask for more than what you've already been
Only that you would say these prayers for me
May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strenght all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet
May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater every stride
May your company be of human insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride
What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through
May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see
May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you'd learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true
I have prayed for you now all my dear and faithful friends
But what I wish is more than I could eever speak
As the way wanders on I'll long to see you once again
Until then, would you pray these prayers for me?
Oh, that you would pray for me

Every line has meaning but there are several that stick out to me.

"All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet
May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater every stride"

I think this speaks to what we, as sinful humans do everyday. We spend our days building, constructing, protecting, hiding. To us, there seems to be a purpose to the walls we put up. We tell ourselves that we are doing just fine. But this is saying that those crowns, those castles, have to fall in order to truly be connected to God.

I think many times I expect things to come easily to me. It sounds arrogant. But it's true. I expect people to like me, I expect to do well in life. But I don't work for it. I have built myself up too much only to realize the things important to me, the things I value, hold little significance in the big picture.

So for now, I hope to work harder, to be more reflective. And to make sure each step I make is harder than the last.