If my heart is hurting, if my mind is racing, it gets me there. If anxiety has overtaken me, it gets me there. If I am feeling reflective, sad, happy or even angry, it can take me to the place I need to be. I don't need time away, I don't need a vacation, I just need a song. For some, it's painting a picture, taking a long walk or going for a run. We all have something that brings us to a place of worship.

I remember having a Tears for Fears cassette tape when I was in elementary school that I played over and over and over again. There was a song I would rewind constantly just so I could listen to it multiple times. The song was Everybody Wants to Rule The World. When I hear the song now, I think of my parents when they were still married. I think about the mobile home we lived in, the school I went to and my baggy Lee Jeans. MTV was a new thing and the only thing aired were music videos. I remember every detail of the video. I can see it now in my mind like it was yesterday. It will always be one of my favorite songs.

While growing up, my Dad listened to Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Three Dog Night, CCR, Freddy Mercury, Moody Blues and Steve Winwood. My Dad used to play darts with his friends and drink beer into the early morning hours. Often I feel asleep on the couch listening to his music. I even remember watching the Live Aid Concert with him back in 1985. It's hard to believe that U2 was around back then and Madonna too. Just recently PBS aired the Live Aid concert. As I watched it, it took me back to my childhood. A few days ago I heard Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 on the radio. Instantly I smiled. The song reminds me of Live Aid, MTV and what life was like in 1985. This is when I truly experience the music. There is no other way to explain it except that the music connects me and I even find myself experiencing a moment with God.

Lately I have had my iPod attached to me non-stop. My mind is full of lists, things I need to do in order to make the move from Dallas to Austin. At times I feel a bit overwhelmed. I find myself needing to get to that place with the Lord. Music does that for me. It's not always Christian music. Instead it may be Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac or Nothing Left to Lose by Matt Kearney. I find songs that have meaning and I make them my own. Music is one of the most powerful tools God uses in my life to get me to that place I need to be.

We serve a creative God. I truly believe he meets us right where we are at and loves us just as we are. He knows me better than anybody. He was whispering in my ear even when I was in my mother's womb. Music was his gift for me. I am so thankful that I can read music, sing it and enjoy it because music is what gets me to that place. Running will help me unwind, painting a canvas will make me sit somewhere for a while instead of constantly being on the go. But music does something so much more for me than those other things. Music connects me and almost always brings me to a place of worship.

So today I would like to share a song with you that has taken me to that place I need to be. This song reminds me of what God is doing in my life this very minute. It reminds me of all that I have to look forward to and it's confirmation that God is doing something brand new. Years from now I will hear this song and it will take me to the place where I am today. It will remind me of what God did for me and how He mapped out every single detail of my life.

If my heart is hurting, if my mind is racing, it gets me there. If anxiety has overtaken me, it gets me there. If I am feeling reflective, sad, happy or even angry, it can take me to the place I need to be. I don't need time away, I don't need a vacation, I just need a song.

click here to listen to Nothing Left To Lose by Mat Kearney. Every single word of this songs means something for this time in my life.

This song takes me to the place I need to be. The words say it all for this time in my life. As I look back over the past three years, this song answers all of my questions. Thank you Lord for speaking to me through music. I can''t listen to this song without getting tears in my eyes. Thank you for believing in me no matter what. While others gave up on me, you never did. I would be nothing without you Lord, nothing. Many don't understand right now what we are doing. They doubt whether or not we have heard your voice, but I know we have heard it LOUD and we have heard it CLEAR.

It's time to pack up the Uhaul and go.

Labels: a new beginning