I’ve been listening to contemporary Christian music for years now and even been to a couple of Matthew West concerts (which were incredible, I should note). There are plenty of songs that speak about overcoming sin, finding God’s Love in the darkest of times, and realizing who you are in Christ in a troubled and damaged world.
It took a lot of self-analyzing and determination to admit that I had again become an addict to alcohol and prescription medications. It took a lot more to commit myself to stopping the drinking and drugging, to admit my wrongs to my wife and to God Almighty, and to seek forgiveness from both of them.
I had abandoned Christian music for most of my drinking period, preferring classic rock and occasionally pop music. I was avoiding the music that made me think, the music that made me feel guilty for cursing God in my misery. When I finally got clean and came clean, I turned back to listening to K-Love radio and this song hit me like a wrecking ball to the gut. It was hard for me to breathe, tears streaked my cheeks, and I nearly called-off of work from the parking lot.
Note: Since I’m poor and can’t afford a plan that will allow me to embed videos in blog posts (or I can and I just haven’t figured out how to), clicking the image below will take you to the Youtube video. Lyrics follow the video.
The question was raised as my conscience fell
A silly little lie
it didn’t mean much
But it lingers still
in the corners of my mind.
Still You call me to walk on the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
but the future’s so far
My heart is so frail
I think I’d rather stay inside.
But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me, how You love me.
It took more than my strength to simply be still
To seek but never find
all the reasons we change
The reasons I doubt
and why do loved ones have to die?
But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me, how You love me.
I am the thorn in Your crown
but You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
but You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
but You love me anyway
I am Judas’ kiss
but You love me anyway
See now, I am the man that called out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth-shaken ground
Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night
I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life
my life
my life
But You love me anyway
Oh, God, how You love me
But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me
You love me, You love me
You love me, You love me
How You love me, How You love me
How You love me
Hello, My Name Is Steve 