thoughts of encouragement from an Eminem song

So today on my long drive home from work,  I popped in one of my buddy's cd's that he and I had made back in high school and has somehow landed itself in my cd book. Before I write about what I had originally planned to write about, I would like to tell you of the sheer brilliance of the mix of music on this compact disc. To start things off, it is neon green in color and the title that is ever so boldly written on the face of this disc is nothing but "Punk, Rock, and Country." The cd starts out with two songs that are not complete...it only plays about 30 seconds of each and then thats it (this is not caused by skipping, they are just incomplete). There are some really legit songs on here, and then some that I ask myself why I know the lyrics to. To briefly describe just how random the artist list was, I'll give just a few names that will bring fear to the hearts of all: Switchfoot (still great), All American Rejects (never have been great), Guns N Roses (SLASH - NUFF SAID),  Randy Travis (the man's a legend), Kenny Chesney (have always hated this guy's music...), and yes, Eminem (we added this song {edited} because we could play it on guitar, I find his voice to be annoying).

Now that you've caught your breath from reading that awe inspiring list of music mix madness, you must be asking yourself - "how can you get encouragement from an Eminem song?". This is a valid question. It's a short and simple answer - I will do my best. The song was "Lose Yourself", if you look up the lyrics for this one be prepared to see some foul language, I had the edited version. But this is how I was encouraged by this song. I was listening to a little bit of it and I said, out loud, "this song is really depressing." He talks about having to nail this one opportunity as to avoid going back to this life of disappointment and poverty. He conveys how he is so sick and tired of the life of discontentment that he is living and the only way to get out of it is to nail this one opportunity. I started thinking during this song about how depressing that life must be, to have to talk oneself up to be able to nail one opportunity to "seize everything you ever wanted".  I took this away from all of it though - Praise God that Christ has GIVEN me all that I've ever wanted!  He seized that opportunity for me and by grace through faith, I have been justified in him. Man - I heard this hopelessness and was encouraged by the truth of the Gospel because of the LACK of hopelessness that I face. I have hope because of my Savior. This is truly  good news. So I guess that it was really NOT the song that was encouraging, but the fact that I hear the story of this mans plight and am moved with gratitude towards my Savior.

Praise Him, for HE IS GOOD!