Music Monday: “Make It Well” by MercyMe
by: Debbie Waltz
Last week, I began reading Bart Millard’s most recent autobiography, “Even If: Trusting God Through The Fire.” The film “I Can Only Imagine” follows Bart through his troubled youth and MercyMe’s journey to fame, which resulted in their famous song. The next installment of this story centers on Bart’s quest to achieve equilibrium between his family life and the challenges of sustaining a successful music career while touring. In the book’s promise, Bart makes it clear to readers that the “Christian” life is anything but simple. He artfully dismantles the misconception that following Christ leads to a life without challenges, explaining that the reality is often more difficult.
Now that he is married, he understands the value of growing as a family unit and supporting each other’s spiritual and mental growth. The story illustrates how one event impacts a marriage and a couple’s faith in God, offering two distinct viewpoints. Throughout these challenges, God remained steadfast with the Millard family, guiding them through adversity and emerging stronger.
Their shared faith binds them together as a family, and on a personal level, they have been led to rely more heavily on God.
Isn’t that typical behavior for God, considering His ways? Letting our most significant struggles be a means to realign our path and maintain our focus on Him. He does not intend to cause us harm; rather, his actions are aimed at molding us into individuals who more closely resemble Jesus. Isaiah 48:10 says: “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”(NIV)
As Christians, we accept this as true, though our backgrounds can sometimes influence our present perceptions. Throughout his childhood, Bart tried to earn his father’s love and approval. He “learned” from that brief interaction that he needed to prove his worth to receive love, fostering a faith centered on legalism over grace and motivating him to keep doing good.
He slowly began to discover the truth as the days passed. Whether we are at our worst or our best, Jesus’ love remains. Our salvation isn’t because of what we’ve done, but because of the cross, where God’s work was completed. We are God’s children. This should serve as a source of motivation, but we must still be prepared for difficulties. As Hebrews 12:5-7 reminds us: “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.’ Endure hardship as discipline; For what children are not disciplined by their father?”
The song “Make It Well” by MercyMe has a feel similar to the timeless hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” The hymn was composed following the tragic death of Horatio’s children during their sea voyage to England. This song, much like Spafford’s work, conveys a profound sense of our urgent quest for understanding during difficult periods. It prays for divine peace, acknowledging that God’s understanding surpasses human comprehension.