"I Love My Life"

I believe music gives voice (sometimes more poetically) to the thoughts I cannot verbalize. I have all of these thoughts floating around in my head that are semi-encompassed in these passages of scripture or verses from some of my favorite songs. All of the human emotions that I want to express, but can’t or repress, seem to come out in musical form.

I’ve never heard of something that sweet
But are you sure you want me?
-Bethany Dillon, Are You Sure?

I love this song because it embodies sometimes how I feel about God’s grace. How, even after seeing all that stuff I do, think, say, don’t say, etc., could He possibly still want me? But He does. And it’s the sweetest thing to hear God say He wants me.


“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James 1:2-4 (The Message)

I have to say, I like the Message version of this verse because it draws out the definitions. Consider it pure joy = a sheer gift. Joy is a gift. Your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors; I love that imagery. I don’t always like my faith-life forced out into the open… that’s scary and vulnerable. It’s only then though when I feel myself being stretched and grown. The following sentences basically say, don’t bail. Stick it out, even if it’s not fun, because through the tests and challenges, you will become more mature and well-developed — not lacking anything. I hope to one day be able to pray for God to test me so that I can be matured and not lacking anything. At this point,]that’s a scary thing for me to think about… The phrase, “be careful what you [pray] for because you just might get it,” comes to mind. For example, two weeks ago, I was driving in my car, and was like, “God, give me patience today.” 2 minutes later I was sitting at what seemed like the longest red light in the world, and I was thinking, “Why is this light not changing! ugggghhh.” God must laugh at me daily.


Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever’s in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever’s in front of me
I’ll choose to sing hallelujah
-Bethany Dillon, Hallelujah

This is one of my favorite worship songs that is pretty unknown to most. Sort of reminds me of Blessed Be Your Name. “Whatever’s in front of me, I’ll CHOOSE to sing hallelujah.” This comes pretty much straight out of scriptural themes. It’s a conscious decision to worship, praise, take the high road, love and not act on our innate human instincts.


“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matthew 22:37

This verse doesn’t just say with some of your heart, a fraction of your soul and a sliver of your mind. It says with ALL of them — every little bit, not holding any of it back. I’m not sure if I know how to love God with All of those things…


You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful
-Bethany Dillon, Beautiful

Again, Bethany Dillon — I love you! On those days where I don’t feel pretty, or even feel downright crappy, I have to remember that God doesn’t care what I look like. When He looks at me, He sees righteousness, His beauty. I am worthy of love because of my identity in Christ — not on my own doing.


i bet the world would change if it knew love
well we know his name so it’s up to us
we gotta reach our hands to wash some feet
go another mile to find a need
we gotta step off of our pedestals
if we want a change that’s radical
if we wanna serve the least of these
then love is what we really need
-Jonny Diaz, They Need Love

This is a very convicting song. I first heard it when Jonny Diaz (singer of More Beautiful You) did a concert at Grace Community Church a few months ago. “We gotta step off of our pedestals if we want a change that’s radical.” Everyone needs love, no matter whether they’re saved, unsaved, whatever. It doesn’t matter. It’s our job to love them unconditionally. So the next time someone crosses your path in life, just love them. Don’t even think about it, just do it.


“Could the maker of the stars Hear the sound of my breaking heart?… If You’re everything You say You are Would You come close and hold my heart”
-Tenth Avenue North

I just need God to hold my broken heart (every time it breaks), because He’s the only one who can put all the pieces back together.


So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb

‘Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there
-Avalon, You Were There

This song always gives me chills, no matter what. Powerful stuff — and I only posted part of it. God doesn’t always make sense, He isn’t always clear, but He is always there and knows exactly what He’s doing.


I wanna set the world on fire
Until it’s burning bright for You
It’s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I can not do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father’s hands

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me
-Britt Nicole, Set the World on Fire

This is my prayer for my life — God can I be the one you use? Can I be the one who feeds the hungry children in Botswana? Can I be the one who helps wherever there is a need? Can I be the one you use?