‘I did it my way!’
I had trouble getting Frank Sinatra singing ‘My Way’ out of my head.
I dislike this song more than I dislike most other songs. To me it’s just awful and yet it always ranks in the top ten of funeral songs. ‘The Lords my Shepherd’ ranks as the top hymn; depending on which list you care to look up.
I was so caught up with the song; why was it repeating in my mind? I decided to do some research, so I did it my way…. I found out that Frank Sinatra did not like this song, although it became his signature song, it was years before he was persuaded to record his version of it.
“Frank Sinatra hated “My Way”; Frank Sinatra’s daughter later revealed that he actually despised this song for two reasons. One is that, being his signature track, he couldn’t shake free of it. And secondly he perceived “My Way”, according to Tina Sinatra, as being “self-serving and self-indulgent”. In fact Mr. Sinatra, in his own words, was upset that such a song “became a kind of national anthem”. Wiki
Sure there will be many people who will love this song. As one of the top ten songs sung at funerals it sits in pride of place. Because that is what ‘My Way’ about – pride.
It is self-centred and gives no credit to others who may have been influential in one’s life; for either good or bad. There is a line in the song; ‘Regrets I have had a few…’ Well Frank Sinatra regretted this song.
But as I pondered; is this really the memory that someone would wish to leave when they part this mortal coil? For some it obviously is. I would have to say that standing before the throne of God they might have to have some explaining to do.
The bible has a point of view on this. It’s found in the book of Isaiah, Chapter 55, and verse 3
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
God’s way can be painful and it can hurt because God asks you to leave everything you have and follow him; and to do it My Way.
It’s going to be tough; it might cause you to doubt, it will challenge you. People may laugh and ridicule your motives and throw your history in your face. They might begin to mistrust your motives, you might lose some friends. You will be asked not to look over your shoulder and think that what you have left behind is better than what you’re going through or what the future might hold. There may be flash-backs that bring regret and sorrow, what ‘if’s’, some ‘but’s’. Old habits might rear up and bite you. New relationships are tricky particularly if there is misunderstanding caused by doing things on the new, My Way.
Being on My Way also lifts us up into a new kingdom where the meaning and purpose of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control shows… this is My Way.
Of course My Way is a loving fitting epitaph for all of us.
I can only think of one person who can without fear say, ‘I did it my way – Jesus’.
Image Credit: Jamie Templeton
