The Heart of Life – John Mayer
Inspiration Behind the Heart of Life:
The idea for the Heart of Life came to John in 2006 while he was in Santa Monica, California, on his way to dinner. Over the next 24 hours, John came up with 2 lines for this song: “pain throws your heart to the ground” and “love turns the whole thing around”. These 2 concepts became the emotional core of the Heart of Life. This song is a combination of personal reflection, everyday moments, and universal human experiences.
Biblical Application:
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it, Deuteronomy 30:11-14.
Exegesis of the Heart of Life:
I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There’s things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen
John is moved by a friend crying. He feels moved to share words of encouragement.
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won’t all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
How pain influences human beings. Yet, love can pick you up. Developing a heart of life.
You know it’s nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
But then the circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining
Expect bad news to interrupt your life. However, your support group of friends in the midst of trials serves as a silver lining.
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won’t all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
Pain is like a gut punch to your soul. However, love can turn things around. While this pain doesn’t go away, the heart for life sustains you.
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Love provides a quick bounce back after trials interrupt your life.
Fear is a friend who’s misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good
I know it’s good
The heart of life enables individuals to overcome fear.
Final Thoughts:
I went to see the original Rocky film in the theaters. This film series introduced Americans to developing the Eye of the Tiger and mental toughness. Subsequently, when John Mayer writes about the Heart of Life, I hear the messages that I absorbed and adopted from the Rocky movies. When you dig down deep, by refusing to give up or quit, perseverance is conceived. This is the mindset that I developed early on in life that helped me survive the travails of junior and senior high school.
by Jay Mankus
