I love listening to Christian music and appreciate good singing voices, harmony, and talented instrumentalists … but overall it is the song lyrics that move me the most. The words speak to me in a personal way and transport me into a deeper place of worship.
MercyMe is one of my favorite American contemporary Christian bands. They originally formed in 1994 in the small town of Greenville, Texas. The initial praise and worship band started with three members – Bart Millard, Jim Bryson, and Mike Scheuchzer. After they started to gain recognition in the Christian music arena, they added a few more members and have not looked back since.
MercyMe has released six chart topping albums and has won numerous Dove Awards and been nominated for Grammy Awards.
My top 5 favorite songs and lyrics by MercyMe are:
#1 – Spoken For from CD Spoken For
Lyrics “…Covered by your love divine, Child of the risen Lord, To hear you say ‘This one’s mine’, My heart is spoken for, Now I have a peace, I’ve never known before, I find myself complete, My heart is spoken for…”
To think that Jesus will stand beside God’s throne on the day of judgment and speak up to come to my defense by telling satan “this one is mine” gives me such peace and joy! My heart and soul is at peace knowing I have eternal life because Jesus is my Savior. So yes indeed, my heart is spoken for and it belongs to God.
#2 – Word of God Speak from CD Spoken For
Lyrics “…I’m finding myself at a loss for words, And the funny thing is it’s okay, The last thing I need is to be heard, But to hear what You would say, Word of God speak, Would You pour down like rain, Washing my eyes to see, Your majesty, To be still and know, That You’re in this place, Please let me stay and rest, In Your holiness, Word of God speak …”
If we simply take the time to stop and listen, we can hear God speaking to our heart. All we have to do free our mind and then ask Him to speak … and He will be there.
#3 – Shine On from CD Undone
Lyrics “… In all that’s said and done, And everything you do, Just let your life glorify, The one who shines on you, I believe we worship Christ, When we show the world His light …”
Christians should live their lives in such a way that unbelievers can see we have something good that they don’t have … that “something” is the light of God in us and it should shine in everything we do. We should be like a beacon in the night for those who are lost and seeking refuge.
#4 – When You Spoke My Name from CD Undone
Lyrics “…When I first spoke Your name, I used it like a blade, Cutting sharp a mask to hide the pain, When I first spoke Your name, When I next spoke Your name, I could no longer bear the weight, Of years hiding behind the ache, When I next spoke Your name, But when You spoke my name, Oh I swear the angels sang, Peace came and stole my shame, When You spoke my name, Now when I speak Your name, I sing it like a sweet refrain, I have found a peace I can’t explain, When I speak Your name …”
God calls everyone to accept Him as their personal Savior but not everyone heeds the call. Some never accept God and never hear him speak, and for some of us it takes a long time to “give in”. As God’s Spirit continues to call our name and minister to us, if we are receptive to Him, we will admit that we’re sinners and are in need of a Savior. Then we will hear Him call our name and it’s such a sweet sound! This song reminds me that God never stops calling people but for some of us it is a gradual process to slowly let go so we can hear Him call our name.
#5 – Bring the Rain from CD Coming Up To Breathe
Lyrics “…I can count a million times, People asking me how I, Can praise You with all that, I’ve gone through, The question just amazes me, Can circumstances possibly, Change who I forever am in You, Maybe since my life was changed, Long before these rainy days, It’s never really ever crossed my mind, To turn my back on you, oh Lord, My only shelter from the storm, But instead I draw closer through these times …”
The first time I heard this song I was in my car and had to pull over to the side of the road because I was crying so hard. I have been a Christian for a long time but when I got my cancer diagnosis I got angry at God. I don’t know why I took my anger out on God because it wasn’t Him that caused the cancer. But I withdrew into a shell and quit reading my Bible and quit praying. I turned away from Him but He never turned away from me. He was right there waiting for me when I was ready to run back into His arms! So this song was a sort of chastisement for me and the catalyst I needed to realize that I was turning away from the only source I needed to weather this storm – and that source is God.
Conclusion:
If you’ve never listened to the Christian music of MercyMe, I urge you to do so. For lack of a better saying … MercyMe ain’t your grandma’s church music! Their music has a contemporary upbeat tempo with a modern message. Not only are their singing voices and instrumentals magnificent, but the spirit-filled song lyrics will reach out and grab your heart and soul.
If you ever want to know more about God, send me a PM. I don’t have all the answers but would be happy to show you how to know Him for yourself!
Sources:
www.allthelyrics.com
wikipedia
