A man who sung his soul
Friends, I’d like to introduce you to a man who has taught me quite a bit in the few years I have been a disciple of Jesus. I first came across Rich Mullins as the writer of the wonderful anthem “Our God is an Awesome God” (great verses as well as the famous chorus!). James then pointed me out to some more of his work, such as the stirring “I am ready for the storm” and “My deliverer is coming”. He was a man who took Jesus into his own heart, and wrote tender songs such as “Surely God is with us”, talking of how Jesus was willing to sit with those who no one else would (”The whores all seem to love him, and the drunks propose his toast!”). I thoroughly recommend getting the latter off iTunes.
The song below, “Hard to get” is one that I only discovered a couple of days ago. Rich writes from the heart, asking God who dwells in the radiance of eternity whether He still remembers the weight and struggle of life here on earth. After all of the questions he asks of God he looks to what Jesus experienced, and realises that he is not looking for an explanation for suffering but whether God is truly with him in the midst of it. Both the lyrics and performance are classic Mullins: heartfelt, raw and beautiful. What makes this even more poignant is that the only recording of his singing (others re-did it later) was on a tape recorder in a little church, nine days before he died in a tragic car accident. I’ve put the recording of ”Hard to get” below, with the lyrics from the last verse beneath (some of the best in the song).
And after I figured this, somehow all I really need to know
Is if You who live in eternity
Hear the prayers of those of us who live in time
We can’t see what’s ahead
And we can not get free of what we’ve left behind
I’m reeling from these voices that keep screaming in my ears
All the words of shame and doubt, blame and regret I can’t see how
You’re leading me unless
You’ve led me here
Where I’m lost enough to let myself be led
And so You’ve been here all along I guess
It’s just Your ways and You are just plain hard to get
- Stephen
Man, Rich Mullins’ music has been a big inspiration to me….it may not be the “coolest” music in the world, but his stuff is so REAL, it’s upfront, honest, and from the heart of a true worshiper. Definitely worth checking out!