I am really loving Coldplay and The Chainsmokers' new song "Something Just Like This." Besides being a really catchy marriage between the two groups' styles, I think there is a lot behind the lyrics.
I'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts.
There is a really healthy dose of reality in that line. When we're thinking about what we want in a future spouse, I think it is important to keep in mind that they're not going to be perfect. Just like us, they're going to have weaknesses. If our expectations are set too high, we're going to find ourselves extremely disappointed. We would want that person to accept us, weaknesses and all, right? It needs to work both ways.
Society seems to be trying to sell the idea that in order to have a truly happy relationship, you have to do everything right. You have to constantly be reading the other person's mind or else you don't really understand them at all. You have to say exactly the right thing in a text or else you don't actually care about their feelings. We get so caught up in the pettiness. I believe that love is in the little things, but it's definitely not in setting up impossible hoops for your partner to jump through. We should want to be pursued, but we shouldn't be designing some obstacle course for them to struggle with.
That being said, I think the song does try to jump a little too far in the opposite direction.
Just something I can turn to, somebody I can kiss.
I know that there's only so much that can be said in a four-minute song, but this compromise seems to be kinda bare. She doesn't want a superhero, but she's not really picky about anything else. It's the bare minimum for her. If I'm going to be spending the rest of my life with someone, I would hope that person makes me laugh. I would hope they not only show kindness to me, but to others as well. I would hope they have an unwavering relationship with Jesus. I would hope they get along well with kids. I would hope they have an appreciation for music. I would maybe even hope they could tolerate supper at IHOP every once and a while :).
There's not going to be a perfect person out there. We don't need superheroes - and frankly, we'll never find them outside of the movies (calling you out, Hallmark channel!). We need to extend grace and appreciate true effort. But we shouldn't settle, either. We have unique personalities that need complemented, hearts that need filled. So, thanks Coldplay and The Chainsmokers for the template...but I think each one of your listeners can make some additions.
