Sonny: "No, there's no way not to suffer. But you try all kinds of ways to keep from drowning in it (404)."
This is a quote from Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin. In this section of the story, Sonny had been out in the
street listening to a woman sing and when he came inside, Sonny commented to his brother that the woman
must have endured alot of suffering in order to sing like that. His brother stated there was no way not to suffer which led Sonny to make the above quote. And I think Sonny is right. People will try all kinds of
things-from drugs, to alcoholism, to religion-to end their personal suffering. They will try almost anything
to prevent further suffering, even if they are very much aware that most of what they try will just cause them
more pain. Usually and unfortunately, itsn't until they reach the brink of self-destruction that they realize how
much they have ruined their lives to achieve the empty consolation of experiencing a few moments when they
are not suffering. However, coming to this realization does not always convince the person to turn their lives
around and get back on the right track. They have been living in depravity for so long that they belive it's
too late to go back, and that even if they tried to they would fail. Sonny: "And there are some who just live...in hell and they kow it and they see what's happeining and they go right on (404)." So many people
believe that money, popularity, and other empty things will end their suffering, but those people are
wrong. Jesus is the only real antidote for whatever anyone may be going through. Even wonderful things like music, which is the focal point of this story, cannot prevent suffering or heal pain, though music can lead to the One who can and will rescue those in need.
I love how you ended your blog on commenting that music is not the answer but it can be a tool to lead us in the One, Jesus Christ! I had not thought about that when I read the story, but I love your insight and your comments on it.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts. Especially like Brooke said at the ending, really inspiring and meaningful. I really enjoyed your insight, great job !
ReplyDeleteI like what you did with that quote! Many do chase after empty things to keep themselves from drowning in suffering but it only seems to push them further into it when they go after the things of this world.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how people will try so many things to end their suffering. Sometimes it does exactly the opposite of they want it to. Although we as Christians suffer, it is different than the rest of the world: we have Christ to go through it with us.
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