There's something about Shawn McDonald's music that is untainted, untouched, unbiased. The connection with God that he sings about is so simple yet intense. It's desperate and raw. There's just something different about the place that his lyrics come from. As he sings, you get the sense that he is only aware of he and God being present. There's nothing overproduced about him or his words yet watching and listening to him reaches so deeply. Because of the indescribable passion in his voice, he is in my top five favorite singers.
"Gravity" Live: A Must Hear
"Beautiful"
Testimony
Another Interview: Amazing
I love the humility and hesitancy in producing words to his thoughts yet the songs are heavenly and complete. It's another show of God coming in and being able to take something not quite complete and use it to show His glory.
This song was so profound for me when it came out. I don't even have the right words to try and give you an idea of how much it propelled me forward in my walk with God. So, I had really anticipated the video coming out afterwards. I had never before prayed for a music video ha. I prayed though that the video would be up to par with the quality of the song lyrically. They nailed it.
I really don't have the words for the effect it had on me. I can honestly say that I think this is the best depiction ever of different things.
She is us. We are born with a passion for certain things in life. We are born into a plan specifically for us. God has given each of us gifts that He will use through us. More times than not, we encounter storms that seem to destroy us. Unfortunately, those storms are usually stirred up by those closest to us. It's when we are in our pit and most alone and feeling like we don't have any hope that God steps forward. Not because He is just now choosing to, but rather because He is just now able to. We come to a place where we welcome anything offering hope. We run for so long and so hard because we think submitting to God is us putting our heads on the guillotine. Or, sometimes we have hung in there as best we can never doubting. Maybe there comes a point where you begin to doubt. It is then He steps in and begins to give you a new perspection and a new hope. This video shows how I have come to find out how it REALLY is submitting to God.
It's a quiet trust we slowly give over. It's God lovingly and merely saying "I love you. I see you. Let me help you. It's time. You're ready." It's God taking our brokenness onto himself and slowly renewing us and our hearts. He begins to show us how we were being refined all along and given experiences that fuel the original passion. He creates in us someone much better than we could have come up with on our own. In the end, it's not going to matter what we did before knowing Him or what others did to us. In the end, it's about our song and if we played it. Did we let God take over and guide us... Will we be able to be taught and loved in order to let His glory shine through our song (life). He's so loving and wishful for you.
P.S. I chuckled at the character of God in this video and his white hair. It made me remember a verse in Revelations.
Revelations 1:14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame on fire;
"True intimacy with God always brings humility." - Beth Moore
I've seen throughout my life that this stands true. To be that close, you can't help but start to reflect the other. God is humility and patience and kindness. When I welcomed God's truth over my life as being defined only by Him, I was able to feel the release of this freedom into my life. I've gained a freedom to give without expectation and to choose to not carry the world's burden of what "I am", because repeatedly I have realized that true joy lies in knowing my God, my father and friend. When you can grasp this, a lifetime of baggage will fall off your shoulders. My hand in His, I want to continue this journey being His love reaching out. He is the only experience where giving over all my control gave me freedom. I am undeserving. God, I don't want to be useless. "My heart will sing no other name." When I was younger, I use to pray to be able to give it all up in order to be near you. I'm offering that back to you. It's where it belongs.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
You abiding in me has brought an experience that no other can compare to. I want more. "I'm running to your arms." I want to walk along side of you as your friend like Abraham. I desperately want to be known to have been after your very own heart like David. If people only say that I loved deeply and widely then I can't ask for anything greater. I want to be so close to you that your every movement in my life is in no need of me guessing. So close that your every movement is felt like a subtle shift in the wind guiding me of your every turn. I want to thrive in your presence. You tugging at my heart isn't harsh conviction. It means I'm within your reach, and I thank you for that. Countless times I have reached out for your hem, and I will continue to cling to it.
"O, the fullness, the pleasure, the sheer excitement of knowing God here on earth." - Jim Elliott
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few are chosen.
Hebrews 10: 35-36 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
"Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?" - Ian Wallace
I have a friend who sends me songs at times that just have to be a God purposed thing.
Tonight I was looking through old pictures of myself. I had the world at my fingertips back then. I just didn't see it. A shy girl with some brave dreams, I could've been unstoppable. As I was scanning my face over the years, I was feeling that nagging heartache of missed opportunities and roads that should've been taken.
I was repeatedly telling God that I AM grateful for renewing me. Maybe I was trying to talk myself into not feeling this heart pain. Maybe I was feeling some guilt for wanting more. I realized that I still hope to not just be new, but to have ME back. Not everything of our old selves was bad. I was thinking I want that girl back. I want that careless hope and gusto back. I want that innocent assurance back. I want that girl back that was running towards the ledge of giving it all away to serve.
Before I closed this picture file, I checked my email. This song was waiting for me. Thank you, my friend.
