This morning’s topic is a “Musical Topic” where I hand out the lyrics to a “recovery-related” song and we all share. This also relates to our work in Step 10. Below are the lyrics and my discussion on the subject:
Walk
by Foo Fighters
A million miles away
Your signal in the distance
To whom it may concern
I think I lost my way
Getting good at starting over
Every time that I return
Learning to walk again
I believe I’ve waited long enough
Where do I begin?
Learning to talk again
Can’t you see I’ve waited long enough?
Where do I begin?
Do you remember the days?
We built these paper mountains
Then sat and watched them burn
I think I found my place
Can’t you feel it growing stronger
Little conquerors
Learning to walk again
I believe I’ve waited long enough
Where do I begin?
Learning to talk again
I believe I’ve waited long enough
Where do I begin?
Now,
For the very first time
Don’t you pay no mind
Set me free again
To keep alive, a moment at a time
That’s still inside, a whisper to a riot
The sacrifice, the knowing to survive
The first decline, another state of mind
I’m on my knees, I’m praying for a sign
Forever, whenever, I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I’m on my knees, I never wanna die
I’m dancing on my grave
I’m running through the fire
Forever, whenever
I never wanna die
I never wanna leave
I’ll never say goodbye
Forever, whenever
Forever, whenever
Learning to walk again
I believe I’ve waited long enough
Where do I begin?
Learning to talk again
Can’t you see I’ve waited long enough?
Where do I begin?
Learning to walk again
I believe I’ve waited long enough
Learning to talk again
Can’t you see I’ve waited long enough?
I believe that God uses secular music to get His message across, but sometimes one has to listen to the meeting deep within. I could spend half the meeting time dissecting this song and how it relates to recovery. There are so many parts and pieces to this song that relate to recovery, especially my own.
The passion and intensity in which the lead singer, Dave Grohl, sings the part that begins with “Now, For the very first time…” is the same passion and intensity I need to have for my own recovery. I have to be passionate about recovery. Understanding that a life of recovery means life to me and a life in the addiction equates to death is equally important. “I never wanna die” means that I never want to return to the addiction, less I die on the inside instead of living my life sober. Some days I have to live my life “a moment at a time” because “… still inside” of me is “a whisper to a riot” which is my addiction and my acting out.
Furthermore, “Set me free again” relates to me and when I need to work my Step 10, either after I was wrong and promptly admitted it, or after a relapse into my inner circle activities. Understanding that we are made free when we openly and honestly admit our mistakes is extremely important. This addiction gains its power from secrets and dishonesty.
Finally, the main chorus of this song, “learning to walk again” and “learning to talk again” are reminders of my recovery and the fact that I am learning to walk and talk again when I first entered recovery or after I have fallen. It is important for me to understand that I really never knew how to “walk” or “talk” in my addicted filled life. Now, as a Christ-follower, I can walk alongside Jesus Christ, and Talk/pray to Him who sets me free, one moment at a time, one day at a time. But the latter will be left for a study in Step 11.
Take what you like and leave the rest.