Rend

I love that the Christian music industry has improved dramatically since I was in junior high! I love researching and looking for new music and I've found some pretty great artists lately. I recently received a mixed cd of Jimmy Needham and I've decided that this guy is definitely a new favorite!

One song in particular has made a huge impression on my life during this last month. The lyrics are among some of the most powerful I've ever seen in a song. What I love is its simplicity to capture what Christianity really is all about- the love of a Savior. It commands us to "rend", to literally tear open or split apart, our hearts in return for a chance for Him to change us. It encourages me to come just as I am- hurt, broken, empty, proud, angry, frustrated, lost. It reminds me that I don't have to have my life "together" for Him to use me. I only have to rend my heart.

When I hear this song I'm reminded of Joel 2:12-13 when it speaks of "rending your heart and not your garments." He doesn't want the "stuff", your money, your possessions, your "coverings", so to speak. He wants the innermost part of you- your heart. When we've rent our hearts before Him, everything changes. Here's a look at the lyrics that have changed my life. I have a new anthem!


You’ve been tarnished
And you’ve been stained
And all the varnish you’ve used to cover up with is peeling away

Yet even now, return to me with nothing less
Than your wounded, broken heart
And cling to Me, your gracious King
Be shattered glass of empty jars and rend
Rend, rend, rend
Rend your hearts

I don’t need a grand display
Show me that your heart has changed
I don’t need a show
Only just to know your own heart breaks

Yet even now, return to me with nothing less
Than your wounded, broken heart
And cling to Me, your gracious King
Be shattered glass of empty jars and rend
Rend, rend, rend
Rend your hearts