The songs that are most popular are the ones that resonate with the masses. I think Cold Play’s ability to write to a wide audience ensures hits. Their new song Daddy is no exception. The theme of the song is simple – Daddy is not around, and that hurts. In the song’s music video, a lone child navigates a stormy ocean in a little row boat, confused and looking for Daddy who never shows.
The pain echoed in the song is consistent with the pain we hear from some during counseling. Broken or disappointing relationships with those who were supposed to care for us can be some of the most damaging wounds people have. But the way some of us subconsciously tend to impose characteristics of hurtful caregivers onto God is even more damaging.
Because we cannot tangibly see or touch God, our human minds attempt to understand him using people we know as a reference. It is a common instinct, but unhelpful and stands in the way of finding hope and comfort in who God really is. A wrong understanding of God leads to fearful and destructive reactions to the storms of life. But praise God that he is not distant. Those of who know him as our Savior and Heavenly Father have a different reality that gives us hope.
The truth in the Bible about God is actually a stark contrast to Cold Play’s song. God promises to be near to those who call upon Him. He saw people broken and hurting in our sin and chose to send His Son to be among us and to die for us. Romans 8 is an amazing chapter reminding readers that a holy God chose to redeem sinful men in order to make them His beloved and adopted children (verses 14 and 15). He promises to be with us. He helps us in our weakness and even prays for us when we do not know what to say (verses 26 and 17). The chapter ends with a beautiful assurance that nothing in the world can separate us from Him. God is out there. And He is not far away.
