Two Different Voices...

Here is another installment of my thoughts...

I have recently heard 2 songs that have touched me in an unexpected way. I have had the Casting Crowns cd, Lifesong, for some time and have added it into the random playing from my MP3 player and computer. The other night I was still at the office trying to tie up loose ends of some sort and heard a passing phrase from the song "In Me." Here are the song lyrics:

If you asked me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves
If you ask me to go
Preach to a lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind you shine Your light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that you want me
So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

If you ask me to run
And carry your light into foreign land
If you ask me to fight
Deliver your people from Satan's hand

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind you shine Your light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that You want me
So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

To reach out with Your hands
To learn through Your eyes
To love with the love of a savior
To feel with Your heart
and to think with Your mind
I'd give my last breath for Your glory

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind you shine Your light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind you shine Your light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that You want me
So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me
The power of Christ in me
The power of Christ in me

To one who frequently feels needed but not necessarily wanted (since forever), this song struck a chord in/on my heart. Praise God that He doesn't NEED me...but He wants me terribly. He doesn't continually ask us to give more because He wants to be another drain on our resources. He wants relationship, to fill us, to cherish...

I won't belabor the point as I know many of you have or do feel this way. It is amazing to remember, especially when your job is also your ministry, that there is a whole 'nother piece to the puzzle. Relationship, hope, love, courage...those are so frequently missing from our daily lives when we tend to be in full-time ministry, regardless of the variety of ministry you are in.

The second song is a bit unexpected if you don't know me well. I heard this in passing on the radio recently. The connection between the two in my mind stems from my recent reading of The Way of the Wild Heart. It opened my eyes to many things about my marriage and others'. (Please note that this is not necessarily an accurate representation of my relationship with Troy, so don't tease him about it or I'll get all Western/Redneck on ya.)

Mama's Don't Let Your Cowboys Grow Up To Be Babies:
Original words and music by Ed and Patsy Bruce
New lyrics by Roy, Angela, and Robin English

Some men have always been babies
The spoiled irresponsible kind Aimless and hell-bent on dodging commitment
Running away all the time
Little boys ain't easy to hold and they're harder to raise
They learn real early all the tricks for getting their way
But while he's still little, you better teach him
He can't win by makin' a fuss
Or he'll get good at groanin', gruntin', and moanin', poutin' and kickin' up dust
Mama's don't let your cowboys grow up to be babies
Cause someday when he's grown and out in the world
He'll look for his mama in every girl
Mama's don't let your cowboys grow up to be babies
Cause he'll always complain there's a woman to blame
'Specially, the ones that he loves
Real cowboys work hard and they tell the truth
They don't pitch a fit, quit, and walk out on you
If he looks good in the saddle, but he's all hat no cattle
Ladies, just let him ride on
Chances are, he's rotten cause nobody taught him
What it really means for a man to be strong
Mama's don't let your cowboys grow up to be babies
Cause someday when he's grown and out in the world
He'll look for his mama in every girl
Mama's don't let your cowboys grow up to be babies
Cause he'll always complain there's a woman to blame
'Specially, the one that he loves

This is a little preachy, but a reminder for myself, and maybe even you, that we need to keep looking up and not so much out for what we need. Have a great day!

Oh, and Troy is absolutely not all hat no cattle! =)