Though You Slay Me

Over the past months, a few specific lyrics have been on my mind.

“Though you slay me, 

yet I will praise you, 

though take from me, 

I will bless your name, 

though you ruin me, 

still I will worship.” 

-Shane and Shane, Though you Slay Me. 

I’ve known this song for years, although it never really affected me. Growing up, I experienced very little “being slain.” God had supplied for my family’s every need and more. Of course, like everyone, I had minor discomforts from time to time. By minor, I mean having a bad day with school or getting annoyed with my younger siblings—the ordinary things to be aggravated with your family. Beyond the little annoyances I faced, I never had the experience of being slain or, in other words, encountering real challenges.

The year 2020 has been a different story. I remember thinking, as I was watching the clock move from 11:59 p.m. to midnight, “This is going to be a good year. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do.” As I’m sure all of you know, the year 2020 did not turn out how any of us expected. For me, the pandemic hit my weakest points. I am incredibly extroverted, and it is tough to go extended periods without seeing my friends. I am also very active, so I feel like I’m going to lose my mind if I’m stuck at home for several days at a time. The virus affected both of these areas. There was about a month where I couldn’t see anyone or go out and do anything. This was the first time my spirit felt “slain.” Every inch of my body and soul was crawling from the discomfort, sorrow, and pain. This year did not feel like a good one or that God was working through it. At this moment, the Lord reminded me of that song, Though You Slay Me.

But why should I praise him? Why should I worship when I feel like God is letting difficulties come toward me? The answer is in Psalm 27:4.

“One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

These words left me in awe. The only thing I truly need in life is Christ himself.

God is beautiful. By taking away the things I hold dear during this time, he has shown me something that is far more incredible. He has worked in remarkable ways in my soul. He has shown me His all-sufficiency. Through the times of heartache, He has shown me that He is far better than anything this world has to offer. 

Through the past months, Christ has used this pandemic to draw me closer to him. During these difficulties, I have experienced more growth as a believer than I ever have before. By slowing down my life, He was able to take my attention off the busyness of my life and focus wholly on Christ. Having experienced these incredible things, I was able to say, “Hallelujah, all I have is Christ.” He is worthy. He is beautiful. He is sufficient. 

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of TeenPact Leadership Schools. To learn more about our Vision & Values, please visit teenpact.com/vision-values/.