So for those of you who know me (if you are reading this, lol, you probably do!), know I enjoy music. And I can’t go for very long before I quote a song lyric or use a song in an analogy. What can I say, I am good at it. And I will forever be “scared” for hearing new songs and thinking “Oh my goodness, this would be perfect [insert scene here] for the mime!” (Yes, Todd and Jacob, I will send you any inspirations for 2010!).
And then there are those moments when you hear a song and it brings you to a screeching halt – because it speaks straight to heart. It truly is amazing how song lyrics combined with music can speak to the soul and define a season of life better than almost anything else (except maybe the living and active Word of God!).
I can think of a “handful” (it’s a big hand!) of songs that have spoke to me over the years…..especially on the journey of the last few of getting where I am today. Each one could have a story to go with it (you might just see that in future blog posts!), but to get us started, just to name a “few” (and I’ll give credit to the artists! If you need some new “good” music, go download some from I-Tunes!): “Mighty to Save” – Hillsong, “I’m Letting Go” – Francesca Battistelli, “History Maker” – Delirious, “If You Say Go” – Rita Springer, “Whatever You’re Doing (Something Heavenly)” – Sanctus Real, “Gotta Go My Own Way” – HSM2 (I know right!), “Yours” – Steven Curtis Chapman, “Life Light Up” – Christy Nockels, “I Want To Set the World on Fire” – Britt Nicole, “Jesus, All For Jesus” – Mark Robin, and “Speak to Me” – Josiah Smith Band.
And the latest song – the reason and title for this blog post. If my memory serves me correctly, I first heard this song during a prayer time in our prayer room at our stateside office back in March. And it has been tracking with me ever since. It is called
“Desert Song” – by Hillsong
Verse 1
This is my prayer in the desert
when all else within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
Verse 2
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
Verse 3
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
Verse 4
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
Verse 5
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
Verse 6
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
Honestly, I could write pages of how the lyrics of this song have spoken to me in the last 6 months (how crazy is that….I moved from Iowa 6 months ago!). Not only have the words resonated with my own life and experiences but I have shared them with a handful of others who are going through “desert” times in their lives.
Collectively, the lesson I most glean from the song is that regardless of our circumstances, God never changes. And it is in the mist of our circumstances that God calls us to live our lives – for Him. Each verse (for simplicity sake, I have titled each portion as a verse) speaks to a reality, a truth about who God is and who we are in Christ. Promises we can stand on and realities that will not fail – when all we can do is STAND.
Verse 1 – For me, being in Iraq, I can very much relate to the desert (physically and spiritually). I have been missing folks from home a bit more lately, and I know you all are just a FB chat or email away, but I am also reminded that nothing in this life can satisfy (not people, not things, not ideas). God is the one who provides, what I need, when I need it.
Verse 2 – This is a scary prayer to pray. I have learned through my life – don’t pray for something unless you are ready for it or really want it to happen, because God is into answering prayers. I want to be refined by God – but the “fire” process is not always that pleasant. I definitely have felt weak (unqualified, inexperienced, etc.) – and it is through these times that I know God is the one pulling me through, because I cannot do it on my own. In fact, getting through the pain part, and coming out on the other side – then I know it was God and not me. I am willing to endure pain if I am being conformed more into the person God wants me to be. It is, after all, what Christ did for us. I want to be refined in the flames and come out with a faith that is proved more worth than gold!
Verse 3 – I love this verse, “I will bring praise!” No matter what is going on around me in my circumstances I will give the glory and praise to God. Plus, the victory is already sure, we know who wins in the end!
Verse 4 – I think that this is the verse for my current season. It has seemed that so many “little” things have happened that have been, or at least seemed like, defeats or set-backs. Whether it was a sports program that was canceled, or a change of schedule, or an extra step in a process of obtaining a document – it has seemed like we can’t catch a break. But we do have the confidence in knowing “Who we are in Christ” and the promises we are assured in the Word. And at times, all we can do is STAND.
Verse 5 – ALL of my life…in every season….you are still God….I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship. As true as this verse is, for me at least, it is the hardest to live out. In “theory” I believe it without question, but when you are living through circumstances that incite emotions of pain, hurt, sorrow, fear, disappointment, etc. it is much harder. In those times we must take every thought captive, and believe in what we do not see (or even beyond what we feel or experience).
Verse 6 – Now more than ever I am the sower. In all of my “callings” – from Riverside, to teaching, to my time in Marion – I have sown many a seeds. And so often I have come to realize, in this work, if you are sowing you most likely are not reaping what you sow (that’s a blessing someone else gets to have). All of my life I been okay with that – but here it has been more of a struggle, and at first I wasn’t exactly sure why. After much reflection, I think I have discovered the reason. In every other season of my life, even though being a sower was my primary responsibility, I also was able to disciple those in differing levels of the faith journey. In this season, however, there is only sowing. I am learning how to completely and only rely on God, his spirit and his word to fill me so that I can continue in what he has called me to do.
As I conclude, I am reminded of a student of mine from Marion – who so wonderfully shared his insights from songs over the years (thanks for that Jacob!) and I hope that this will speak to many of you in the seasons of life that you are living.
