All You've Ever Wanted...

I've always been a musical person, and I love that we can worship God through music.  One of the Christian artists I really enjoy is Casting Crowns, especially their more recent songs.  Since their lead singer, Mark Hall, battled cancer, I find myself really connecting with the songs he writes as I can completely relate to his experience and his calling upon God in his times of need.

One of the areas I really struggle with is staying connected to God when things are going well. In addition to spending time in prayer and in God's Word, I find that music is a great way to reconnect with God when I'm starting to become apathetic in my walk with Him.  It's so easy to stay close to God when we're struggling and crying out to Him, but when things start going well again, I tend to neglect my relationship with Him because I figure I can handle things myself.  The song All You've Ever Wanted really resonates with me. For the past month, I've felt pretty good.  I've had a break from chemo, and I'm starting to feel like myself again, even though the cancer is still there.  I really need to make sure I stay connected to God.  This song calls me back to Jesus.  It reminds me that nothing I can do in my own strength will ever compare with what God has done for me. (Plus as a pianist, I love the piano parts in the song!) .

I just looked up today 
And realized how far away I am from where You are
You gave me life worth dying for
But between the altar and the door
I bought the lies that promised more
And here I go again

Lord, I know I let You down
But somehow, I will make You proud
I'll turn this sinking ship around 
And make it back to You

But all my deeds and my good name
Are just dirty rags that tear and strain
To cover all my guilty stains
That You already washed away

'Cause all You've ever wanted, all You've ever wanted
All You've ever wanted was my heart
Freedom's arms are open, my chains have all been broken
Relentless love has called me from the start
And all You wanted was my heart

I was chasing healing when I'd been made well
I was fighting battles when You'd conquered hell
Living free but from a prison cell
Lord, I lay it down today

So I'll stop living off of how I feel
And start standing on Your truth revealed
Jesus is my strength, my shield
And He will never fail me

No more chains, I've been set free
No more fighting battles You've won for me
Now in Christ, I stand complete

I encourage you to click the link and listen to the song.  If you're walking with Jesus, may it draw you closer to Him.  If you've never given your heart to Jesus, that's all He wants from you.  It doesn't matter what you've done or haven't done.  Draw near to Him; give Him your heart.  You won't regret it!