Flying Low

We can know that the Lord offer us grace in the midst of suffering. He is not unaware of our struggles, and wants to meet us there and walk with us, even in our darkest days. 1st Peter 5 states:

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

When we experience pain, when we are wounded by others or even the sorrow for our own mistakes, we can know we have someone who is there for us, who lives in our hearts, and will bring joy and comfort. He is the one who can bring clarity and peace to our minds and give us hope, even when we are discouraged.  We should not run from God when we encounter hardship, but run to Him and discover the bountiful, beautiful spiritual resources that He offers.

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Even in suffering, we can seek the Lord and discover the depths of His joy and the assurance of His presence. The Psalmist wrote in the 16th Psalm:
8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Her name is Jane Marczewski, who attended Liberty University.  To fans of America's Got Talent, she is known as Nightbirde.  But after she left college, life took a downward turn.  According to Faithwire...she "fell ill to a cancer that took up residence in her lungs, lymph nodes, ribs, liver, and spine. She was 29 years old, and had already beaten cancer once before."  The article also notes:

Her world was crashing down in more ways than one.

Just days after her diagnosis and only weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Nightbirde’s husband, whom she described in a blog post as “My One Great Love,” walked away from their marriage.

According to John Stonestreet at the Breakpoint website:

She chose the name Nightbirde because she wants to sing in the darkest places, where she found Jesus. “If you listen for it and look for it,” she said, “you’ll see Jesus all over it.”

She chose to go on America's Got Talent and sang "her original song," which is entitled, It's OK, telling the judges that it was “a story of the last year of my life.”  She even added that she still had the presence of cancer within her.  

Faithwire states, regarding the judges: "Each one of them was clearly enraptured by her song," with judge Howie Mandel saying it was “the most authentic thing I’ve heard this season.” Sofia Vergara said, “It was powerful,” adding, “It was heartfelt, and I think you’re amazing.”

Then, it was time for Simon Cowell, who brutalized contestants during his days on American Idol.  He said, “There was something about that song,” and he added, “The way you almost casually told us what you’re going through.”  Jane said, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy."  The Faithwire report added:

“I’m not going to give you a ‘yes,’” Cowell told the singer with tears in his eyes. “I’m going to give you something else.” With that, he leaned across the desk and slammed his hand down on the famous golden buzzer that triggered a flurry of glimmering confetti that rained down on Nightbirde, who fell in tears.

Cowell made his way to the stage and hugged her.

Early last week, Nightbirde announced on Instagram that she is leaving the competition. In another story, Faithwire quoted from the post:

“Since my audition,” she wrote, “my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention. I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of ‘AGT.’ Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it — but we knew that already.”

But, she continues to look forward to her future, according to the post, which said, “I’m planning my future, not my legacy,” adding, “Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”

There certainly is some truth here - we don't have to wait until things get better to pursue a more positive outlook. Happiness can be our choice, and the joy of the Lord can be a reality for us. Even when we are discouraged, we can move toward His light and experience the joy of His presence. We can be hopeful in the hardship because our lives are in God's hand.

There is also something to be said for honest emotion, which can win the day.  Her transparency in suffering showed the judges and the audience a picture of grace in the midst of suffering.  We can keep our discouragement bottled up inside, but we can know that God desires for us to pour out our hearts before Him, to press into Him, and seek to discover what He has in store.  When believers are authentic, it allows the presence of God to be manifested.