Make It Like It Was

God's been talking to me this past year through a series of songs - ie, pop songs.

It's weird but really wonderful. Talk about cultural mandate — it's the living God on my radio frequency.

I think it started with David Cook's version of 'Always Be My Baby' - I felt God sing it to me and had a complete meltdown in the car.

Then as I was researching U2's songs for an article I was writing, suddenly the lyrics became so clear to me. U2 is a modern day David! The pain, the joy, the triumph, the temptation, the sorrow — all the ups and downs of walking with God, they are in U2's songs.

"To God in Heaven be the glory!"

Amazing to me how hundreds of thousands of unbelievers sing that out loud at every stadium show that U2 plays. Awesome! It's Nebuchadnezzar x 1000000.

Then last night, Lord you whispered this tune into my head... I had to sing it out loud. I couldn't remember if it was Patti Smith, Patti LaBelle or Anita Baker. Turns out I was wrong on all 3 counts! Did a quick Google and I found Regina Belle's 'Make It Like It Was', and Lord I knew you were talking to me when I read the lyrics.

Everyday we used to slip away to talk
We would talk about the goodness of your heart
Now it seems a myth that never existed at all
And it leaves me feeling empty
With this hollow call

Make it like it was
The way it used to be
When i hungered for your love
Constantly
Make it like it was
It was easier for me
I know you're able
To make it like it was

At a certain time you would find me on my knees
Asking you to supply all my brother's needs
Now it seems the needs are a secondary thing
And it truly makes me wonder
What's really happening

Make it like it was
The way it used to be
When i hungered for your love
Constantly
Make it like it was
It was easier for me
I know you're able
To make it like it was

Now when I compare there's really no comparing
I just want it the way it used to be
Just the thought of living without your love
Makes me ask that you make it like it was

Make it like it was
The way it used to be
When i hungered for your love
Constantly
Make it like it was
It was easier for me
I know you're able
To make it like it was

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ipsMY9dGA

This makes me weep because often, when I go on my knees — it's true, I have a whole grocery list of things to pray through, asking God to "supply my brother's needs". But sometimes, I feel it's so empty and hollow because i'm not really connecting with You - I'm just putting in my orders.

"One McSpicy EVM, one Fish Fillet special order no tartar sauce, one cell group member special order no petty problems ..." *DING*

But it was different at the start, when waking up was thrilling because it meant another day I could just sit in your presence and read and drink from your Word. Why is it so hard to do that now? I guess, I am no longer a babe drinking milk, that's why.

Lord I thank you for the teaching Pastors did on the Shulammite woman in Song of Solomon. Because that's me. And for a long time I think I got stuck at level 2 — wanting to just have you, bring you home and keep you at home with me. Yet that's not how You work. You want me to rise up, come to the garden with You, work with You. And my revelation of You would sharpen.

And thank you Lord it's started to happen. I know this quiet time with you is so special - but rarely is it an hour. But I know, I read your Word, I search for it, and You talk to me. You talk to me out of songs, books I read, every newspaper articles.

I feel like a teenager with You Lord. Just beginning to see what my Father wants me to see, how He wants me to follow in His footsteps. I'm learning to understand Your ways. But of course it would help to read and meditate on Your Word even more — it is even more crucial!

I'm not there yet but You reveal more of yourself to me — You are a God who hides Himself (see, You sent me that verse! Isaiah 45:15) One day I will come to the point of Mature Love with You - when I wake up and know Your heart and we go out and have adventures together.