I wasn't so sure I'd be happy to turn 45. In July, while on my Mission Trip to NYC with a youth group, I listened over and over to the song Worn by Tenth Avenue North.
The opening lyrics enticed me: "I'm tired. I'm worn. My heart is heavy from the work it takes to keep on breathing. I've made mistakes. I've let my hope fail. My soul feels crushed by the weight of this world."
Listen.
The ragged voice of the lead vocalist tugs at a listener's heart. The gentle piano tugs at mine. The visual impact of the original video gives the words heartfelt sincerity - the man believes what he's saying. So do I. God can and will give us rest. Redemption does win and the struggles end. Broken hearts are mended. A song will rise from the ashes of this broken life.
My favorite lines appear near the end of the song: "I'm worn. My prayers are wearing thin. Yeah, I'm worn even before the day begins. Yeah, I'm worn. I've lost my will to fight. I'm worn so, heaven, come and flood my eyes."
Fast forward a couple months to the first days of my newly independent life. I had started to listen to music again just for the pleasure of it. And I hear Casting Crown's Thrive. I've never fallen in love with a song so fast.
Here in this worn and weary land where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water we never will run dry…
So living water flowing through, God we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire:
Just to know You and to make You known,
We lift Your name on High
Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide
We know that we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives;
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive.
Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable, love unstoppable, anything is possible…
Just to know You and to make You know,
We lift Your name on high
Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide
We know that we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives;
It's time for us to more than just survive:
We were made to thrive!
Hey!! We were made to thrive!
When we walk with the notion that God desires so much more for us than ordinary - and way more than torn and broken - lives, how can we not walk with joy and faith and love? And when we walk with those things, anything really is possible.
Incidentally, Casting Crowns is offering a THRIVE CHALLENGE. Check it out.
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In other news, I have a new theme song. In 2011, I chose Waka Waka (Esto es Africa) as my theme. I can belt out those Spanish lyrics with the natives. Though Waka will remain among my top-rated, most-frequently played songs, I've found something that speaks to my heart right now.
Choosing a theme song is not a task to be taken lightly. I briefly considered I Am Woman by Helen Ready. Though I think the lyrics should be memorized by every female in every language, the song doesn't have theme song characteristics. A theme song must:
- Make the owner want to get up and dance Every. Single. Time. the music starts.
- Fill the owner with joy that bubbles over the top and infuses other.
- Leave the owner on the brink of laughter as the final notes fade away.
- Require the owner to sing along at top volume with any kind of pitch handy.
- Contain lyrics that are true and have meaning to the owner.
Woman has meaning certainly. "Oh yes, I am wise. But it's wisdom born of pain. Yes, I've paid the price. But look how much I gained. If I have to, I can do anything. I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman." But there's no dancing to that song. It doesn't make me laugh out loud. And I'd rather listen than sing along. So Woman has earned a place in my running cool-down playlist, and there it will remain.
So. The new theme song? ROAR by Katie Perry. I heard it during Zumba at the gym last night. And I'm keeping this one. Try NOT dancing when this song plays. Try NOT to feel happy. Try NOT to laugh out loud. Try NOT to sing along. Try NOT to find meaning when she sings "I've got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire, 'cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar. Louder, louder than a lion, 'cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar!" Or how about when she sings, "Now I'm floating like a butterfly, stinging like a bee. I earned my stripes. I went from zero to my own hero!"
Be your own hero.
Bless your day,
Kari
Pater noster qui es in coelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum tuum, fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem sed libera nos a malo.
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