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Head Above Water -Avril Lavigne



I wanted to share this song by the talented Avril Lavigne. Her lyrics combined with the visuals encapsulates the feelings this pandemic is exuding. In the video Avril wears a white bridal dress, an allusion to the Bride of Christ, “Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the Lord!
    For the Lord our God,[b] the Almighty, reigns.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice,
    and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,
    and his bride has prepared herself.
8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
    For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.” (Revelation 19:6-9). To ensure the imagery is not a coincidence, a silver pectoral cross hangs around Lavin’s neck in the music video as she sings a song like a prayer to God. 

In the lyrics are a treasure trove of symbolism and allusions to Scripture: 

“I've gotta keep the calm before the storm (Psalm 46:10)
I don't want less, I don't want more (Proverbs 30:8) 
Must bar the windows and the doors (Revelation 3:8) 
To keep me safe, to keep me warm
Yeah, my life is what I'm fighting for (Luke 17:33)
Can't part the sea (Exodus 14), can't reach the shore (John 21:7)
And my voice becomes the driving force
I won't let this pull me overboard
God, keep my head above water (Matthew 14:22-33)
Don't let me drown, it gets harder
I'll meet you there at the altar (Revelation 6:9-11)
As I fall down to my knees (“For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."” Romans 14:11)
Don't let me drown, drown, drown
Don't let me, don't let me, don't let me drown
So pull me up from down below 
'Cause I'm underneath the undertow
Come dry me off and hold me close (“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:14)
I need you now, I need you most
God, keep my head above water
Don't let me drown, it gets harder
I'll meet you there at the altar
As I fall down to my knees
Don't let me drown, drown, drown
Don't let me, don't let me, don't let me drown
Don't let me drown, drown, drown
Keep my head above water, above water
And I can't see in the stormy weather (Luke 8:22–25)
I can't seem to keep it all together
And I, I can't swim the ocean like this forever
And I can't breathe
God, keep my head above water
I lose my breath at the bottom
Come rescue me, I'll be waiting
I'm too young to fall asleep (“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep / died in him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14)
God, keep my head above water
Don't let me drown, it gets harder
I'll meet you there at the altar
As I fall down to my knees
Don't let me drown
Don't let me drown (don't let me, don't let me, don't let me drown)
Don't let me drown (don't let me, don't let me, don't let me drown)
Keep my head above water, above water.” (Avril Lavigne, Head Above Water, Scripture addresses and verses inserted by Jeffrey Pendragon) 


Many are feeling like they are drowning right now as the world reels from this pandemic. The waves of fear, uncertainty, and worry are pulling many down. But we have an anchor (Hebrews 6:19), a line of rope we can climb from depths of our despair, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will not leave is drowning, just as he did not abandon Peter when he was drowning. We have a faithful God who hears our cry, “Don't let me drown Don't let me drown (don't let me, don't let me, don't let me drown).” He is there reaching out his hand into the waters to rescue us. Amen. 

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