When U2 were recording their album the Joshua Tree, they spent more time working on the song “Where the Streets Have No Name” than the rest of the album put together. Brian Eno, the producer became so frustrated that he secretly planned to “stage an accident” and erase the tape of the song, so that they would have to start again. He thought they were getting nowhere and would never finish. At one point the sound engineer came into the studio and saw what was happening. He lunged at Eno who was about to hit the switch to erase the tape. There was a scuffle, and the tape remained intact.
Brian Eno was stopped, and U2 finished the song. Ultimately, "Where the Streets Have No Name" was praised by critics and became a commercial success, peaking at #13 in the US. The song has remained a staple of their live act since the song debuted in 1987.
Possible Preaching Angle:
Sometimes it’s good to start afresh. To walk away from a mess. But sometimes it’s right to persevere through thick and thin. You might feel like giving up on your marriage, your church, your job, but God wants you to stick in. Don't give up. Paul says “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up” (Ga. 6:9).
