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  • Writer's picturejoyforministry

Let God Rewrite Your Song.


We all have things that take us back.  When I was pregnant with my first child, my husband and I would talk about baby names.  There were certain names that I would dismiss right away because I worked in a daycare when I was 17.  Even though I liked the name, I would associate that name with a child who threw tantrums, or kicked my shins when I put them in time out.  They brought me back and the memories were not good.  


Certain songs bring me back to a place in a flash.  Not always a place that I want to go because it brings up painful memories.  I usually don’t let my mind go to those places because sometimes they take me down a rabbit hole.  I move on to the next song and don’t let myself think of the reason I skipped.  Today I let my mind wander back just a little.


I put on my favorite spotify mix and got to work cleaning my kitchen.  Something about worship music helps me get the chores that I dread done.  On came this popular worship song, a song you probably are familiar with.  Immediately I thought, “NO!  Not this song!”  I ran to my phone and skipped it as fast as I could.  But it was too late, I was already back there...


It was our last Sunday there.  I see my husband on stage as the entire congregation gives him a standing ovation.  My littlest son climbs up on stage with him and hugs his leg.  The band starts to sing.    


“The head that once was crowned with thorns

Is crowned with glory now

The Savior knelt to wash our feet

Now at His feet we bow”


I hear the words.  I feel an ache rising stronger within me.   What happens next?  


“The One who wore our sin and shame

Now robed in majesty

The radiance of perfect love

Now shines for all to see”


My heart hurts.  It has been a really hard two weeks.  The phone calls, the tears, and the goodbye’s that I said over and over rings in my ears.  


“Your name, Your name

Is victory

All praise, will rise

To Christ, our king”

Someone taps my shoulder and points to the door.  I see my son who just entered the room to see his father say his last goodbye.  My son’s eyes are red with tears.  My heart breaks a little more.  


“The fear that held us now gives way

To Him who is our peace

His final breath upon the cross

Is now alive in me”


Someone comes up to me and hugs me.  She says “On behalf of the body of Christ I apologize.”  It is a soothing balm on my heart.  God, you got us.  



“By Your spirit I will rise

From the ashes of defeat

The resurrected King, is resurrecting me

In Your name I come alive

To declare Your victory

The resurrected King, is resurrecting me”


I can go back and see that clear as day and feel those feelings like they were yesterday.  It is amazing what one song stirs up.  I don’t feel like it is a coincidence that this song was being sung at that time.  “By your spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat.  The resurrected King is resurrecting me.”


God is a God of detail.  He weaves intricately in our stories and whispers of His promises.  Before we called, He answered.  


I love this song even though it brings me back to a painful place.  As I stood in my kitchen after I skipped the song on spotify, I felt the Lord whisper.  He wants to rewrite the story of this song in my life.  There are painful things we don’t want to go back to.  God wants to redeem that time.  He wants to redeem that pain.  A song that I skip so fast today, can bring me joy again.  


Lord, help me not to fear the past, or run from the hurt.  Help me to give it to you so you can make beauty from ashes, joy from hurt, peace from chaos, and love from anger.  Help me to not press the skip button so much but to let you work in my painful memories.  


What song do you need the Lord to rewrite for you?

5 comments

5 Comments


e-hufschmid
Jul 10, 2020

That was a great post! Being a worship leader and EX worship leader of a few churches... there are quite a few songs that do this to me. But this was a great reminder not to miss what God is doing and the new song He is writing for us.

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Angela Girlando
Angela Girlando
Jul 03, 2020

Joy this was so beautifully written. I love these words so much “Help me to not press the skip button so much but to let you work in my painful memories.” I pray it will become a song of joy for you!! I know I need to digest these words and let the Lord work through even in the painful places . Thank you so much for sharing !!

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rgelewski
rgelewski
Jul 01, 2020

Wow, that made me cry but also gave me Joy! It’s so important to allow God to use those past hurts in our future to make us better and do a work in our hearts. Love you beautiful Joy! Keep writing 💕

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Barbara Ruglio
Barbara Ruglio
Jul 01, 2020

This brought me back to my own story and song. Over a decade for me and now not only has God healed me but He revealed, gently and sweetly, how I had stood in the way, how I had sinned, how I could have been a better contribution to peace. He does not do it to chastise me, only to allow me to bring healing to others. God never wastes our pain. He uses it for the good of those around us, and for His glory.

As Alex said, this is beautiful because I can tell you wrote it to Him, about Him, for Him. And that makes it even more beneficial to us.

Keep writing, dear Joy. You bring…

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Alexandra Woody
Alexandra Woody
Jun 30, 2020

This is one of the finest pieces of writing I have ever read. I cried my tears and a few of yours with you. I will be taking that question before the Lord, which songs do you want to rewrite for me? Outstanding. This is deep! #redemption #restore #reframe #renew

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