August 29, 2020

“Worn”

by Tenth Avenue North

I’m tired. I’m worn. My heart is heavy from the work it takes to keep on breathing. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve let my hope fail. My soul feels crushed by the weight of this world.

I’m tired. Are you tired? I don’t just mean physically tired, like you’re ready to go bed (although I feel that way, too). I mean the mentally and emotionally exhausted kind of tired. I think we can all agree that life in 2020 has not been easy. Right now, I have a lot of friends who are going through rough times, not all related to coronavirus chaos. They are feeling worn and are losing hope fast. As a nurse working during a pandemic, I am feeling worn as well. So today, I’d like to introduce to you a song that shares this sentiment. The lyrics are honest, and in my opinion, they are meant to be sung as a prayer.

I first found meaning in “Worn” when a man at church played it for the congregation after he told us that his wife was dying of cancer and only had weeks to live. The lyrics reflected his prayers. After that, it was a while before I could hear “Worn” without crying!

There are countless experiences to which the prayer in “Worn” can be attributed. For example…

You are worn from fighting an illness, or you’re a caregiver who is feeling burnt out. Through the illness you are desperately waiting for God to take away your pain and your fragility, or that of your loved one.

You are battling an addiction, and you’re so tired of trying over and over again to break the chains that bind you.

Depression and anxiety have crept their ways into your mind, and you are aching to feel alive.

Your life took a turn for the worse. Maybe you lost your job, your relationship fell apart, or you are struggling financially. Whatever it is, it hits hard, and you feel yourself weaken from the weight of this world’s troubles. You are praying for God to mend your heart and turn your ashes into beauty.

This is where you probably relate most to the second verse of “Worn”: I know I need to lift my eyes up, but I’m too weak. Life just won’t let up. But I know that you can give me rest. So I cry out with all that I have left…”

In every one of those situations there is a longing for hope and a cry for redemption.

And amidst the pain, when it feels like God doesn’t hear our prayers, He responds to us with these promises:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

(Psalm 34:18, Revelation 21:4, Matthew 11:28,)

Read what the singer cries out to God in the chorus of the song:

Let me see redemption win. Let me know the struggles ends; that you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn. I want to know a song can rise from the ashes of a broken life, and all that’s dead inside can be reborn.

If you are feeling tired, worn, or just “done” with life, I invite you to use this song as a prayer to God. Tell Him how you’re feeling. He hears us in our weakness. Allow Jesus to lighten your load by confessing to Him your mistakes, your woes, your addictions, your sins…cast all your cares on Him. And most importantly, admit your need for a savior, that you may find hope and peace in knowing that in the end redemption will win.

Listen to “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North here

Blessings,

Bailey Ramsay

“You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’ You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life.” Lamentations 3:57-58