The apostle Paul says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

I believe that part of this “too deep for words” means music. Poetry and lyrics are humanity’s best effort at putting our groanings into words, but music is where we segue into the realm of mystery.

As I drift and swim, and sometimes get pulled by dolphins (or sharks), through the roiling ocean of grief – I find music to be one of the most essential and enigmatic propellants.

This week I have been helped by Ellie Holcomb’s song Constellations:

Once was a season of infinite light
When the distance from heaven was not far behind
I was close to You
I was close to You

Carry me back to that moment in time
When the colors and fragments were beautifully bright
How I long for You
How I long for You

‘Cause out here in the dark
Underneath a canopy of stars
Constellations falling from Your heart
They tell me that I’m not alone
‘Cause honestly, I’m so alone
Promise me I’m not alone

How many miles does my soul have to drive
Before love can collide with the mess in my life?
That’s not hard for You
That’s not hard for You

‘Cause You see through spectrums of darkness and light
But I’m losing my way, and I’m losing my mind
I can’t see the truth
Help me see the truth

‘Cause out here in the dark
Underneath a canopy of stars
Constellations falling from Your heart
They tell me that I’m not alone
‘Cause honestly, I’m so alone
But promise me I’m not alone, oh
Promise me I’m not alone

When I felt the light of the moon on my face
The memory of sun that been shining for days
You’ve already been in this desolate place
You’ve already been here, and You’ve made a way
Pinpricks of glory strung out across the sky
Memories of darkness undone by the light
Reminding me You are right here by my side
You’re here by my side
You’re here by my side

Out here in the dark
Underneath a canopy of stars
Constellations falling from Your heart
They tell me that I’m not alone
I know that I’m never alone
‘Cause You find me and bring me back home

And I’m never alone, never alone
Never alone, never alone
Never alone out here in the dark