My family and I used to go to Lifest for the bands. Hours were spent circling artist names in the program and making a strategic plan of where we needed to be and when. Unfortunately for me, long gone are the years when I spent five days running from stage to stage, from mosh pit to lawn chair, from merch table to meet and greet line.
This past opening night of Lifest we got caught in the madness where the one-lane road through the park became a parking lot. The only show I wanted to see all evening was to start in four minutes. So still in the holding pattern at the park's entrance, I abandoned my family and our minivan. I began to walk with a purpose towards a party with a purpose. It took me fifteen minutes to walk from the park entrance to the fairgrounds entrance (in case you ever need to know).
Fifteen minutes is long time to repeatedly glance at your watch and realize you're missing the only show you wanted to see that day. It's also a long time to question if you're approaching with the right heart.
Even if I miss my show, will tonight still be worth it? Am I willing to hear from the Lord through a speaker I've never heard of, a band whose CD I have never purchased? Am I here for an artist, a speaker, or am I here for the Lord?
Valid questions to take my mind off of the ticking minutes.
A fifteen minute jog through the park, thirteen minutes in line to exchange my ticket for a wristband, and I finally made it to the Grandstand as Peder Eide was wrapping up "Yes, Lord" and beginning a new song, "We are Not Orphans." A new, new song. So new the CD it's on won't be released until July 15th. Peder has personally told me about this song twice, but I've been waiting a year to hear it.
A year. No embellishing.
I thought I was late. Twenty-three minutes late, to be exact. Twenty-three minutes late to a forty minute show.
I wasn't. I was right on time. Sure, I missed the first twenty-three minutes that I would have thoroughly enjoyed, but I was right on time to hear the song I had been anxiously awaiting.
It was a beautiful moment.
"I haven't forgotten. Welcome to Lifest. We've been waiting for you," the Lord whispered to me.
It might have taken twenty-three minutes of anxiety, but once again I could honestly proclaim, "God, I'm all in. I'm here for You. Not the artists, not the speakers, not the expo center, not the camaraderie. I'm here for YOU!"
What a wonderful feeling that is!
When's the last time you spent fifteen minutes running through a (figurative) park adjusting the focus of your heart? When's the last time you let your Abba Father sing over you and remind you of His goodness? He's waiting.
"For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Showing posts with label songwriting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label songwriting. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Debated Words
My suitemates and I have taken a stab at songwriting. Most of us are either musically inclined or wordsmiths. It's a great combination.
A few days ago, Jennifer had a beautiful concept for a song and ideas on what she wanted to proclaim in the verses, so we tried to write it.
We talked it out. We free wrote. We prayed. We played with chords. We were having a hard time. Every word was deliberate and discussed.
Two hours later, we had a grand total of twenty-two words.
We were pleased yet simultaneously, I was little frustrated that it was taking so long. Let's be honest: I'm a bit verbose. Yes? If I spent two-solid hours writing I would hope to have at least 700 words. But they would not be as planned as these twenty-two words were. They would be much less deliberate. I would not debate them like we did those song lyrics. They are not repeated as frequently as a song, even one only six of us know.
It got me thinking about the words that come out of my mouth. Am I flippant in what I say or are they well-chosen? Does each sentence run through a filter before it runs off my tongue? Am I careful is what I say and how I say it?
The truthful answer is no. But I should be.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
<>< Katie
A few days ago, Jennifer had a beautiful concept for a song and ideas on what she wanted to proclaim in the verses, so we tried to write it.
We talked it out. We free wrote. We prayed. We played with chords. We were having a hard time. Every word was deliberate and discussed.
Two hours later, we had a grand total of twenty-two words.
We were pleased yet simultaneously, I was little frustrated that it was taking so long. Let's be honest: I'm a bit verbose. Yes? If I spent two-solid hours writing I would hope to have at least 700 words. But they would not be as planned as these twenty-two words were. They would be much less deliberate. I would not debate them like we did those song lyrics. They are not repeated as frequently as a song, even one only six of us know.
It got me thinking about the words that come out of my mouth. Am I flippant in what I say or are they well-chosen? Does each sentence run through a filter before it runs off my tongue? Am I careful is what I say and how I say it?
The truthful answer is no. But I should be.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
<>< Katie
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