(To listen to the podcast as you read, and to hear the complete song, "You Are My Song" at the conclusion, click here. To view the podcast and hear the song on YouTube instead, click here.)
Psalms 89:1 in the message paraphrase of the Bible says, “Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it! I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are”
The ability to sing is such a blessing from the Lord. All my life I have found great delight in using my voice to express my emotions, tell my story and to love others by singing songs. As a songwriter, I believe I’m a co-creator with God. I believe all songs are written in heaven and given out to those of us who listen for the music of heaven. They are gifts, and I believe every song I have ever written has been a gift from God. While I may be the singer and songwriter, I have always been profoundly grateful for the creativity and musical ideas that seem to “pop” into my head, and flow onto the page. Every song feels like a puzzle that I put together, taking one small piece from God at a time, figuring out how it all fits together to create a song.
When I was getting ready to officiate the wedding of my friends Daniel and Katie Blackman back in 2008, the musical ideas began to flow. As worship leaders and musicians in our church, they were constantly seeking the presence of God, and it felt right to surprise them with a song at their wedding.
This Is The Story Behind Their Song, "You Are My Song".
As people for a heart for the unborn, it made so much sense to quote Psalm 139, taking their story back before time began. Psalm 139 tells us that we were knit together in our mother’s womb and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. In the first phrase of the song, “Before there was time, I created your heart, formed every part, and gave it a song” … I imagine that the way our heart beats, gives the living rhythm of a song of our life. The concept that our life is a song is not found in the Bible – but I am taking the feeling and the joy of singing that we have and imagining that God has the same kind of joy as he thinks about us.
Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God rejoices over us with singing. The analogy goes further as I explain in the song, “it’s the song that I sing, to you every night, to tell you I love you.” I imagine that the Lord has a unique song that He sings to each of us, based on who He created us each to be. His song each night reinforces our true identity, it calms us and strengthens us. God wants to sing us into wholeness.
The next part of the first verse represents a world spinning in silence, waiting to hear the songs from God that will bring meaning. Our heavenly Father, who is singing this song to us – tells us that he’s singing a song that rings through out heart, it resonates with who we are… it brings a message of meaning of a new start, for any person who is lost – it’s the song of His purpose of restoration, healing and meaning.
Verse 1
Before there was time, I created your heart, formed every part, and gave it a song
It’s the song that I sing, to you every night, to tell you I love you, and I am the light
That shines on your soul, to make you whole
The world spins in silence, it waits for a sound, searching for meaning, but none can be found
But the song that I’m singing, that rings in your heart, is the message of meaning, of a new start
For any lost soul, to make them whole
The chorus tells, us as His image bearers on earth ,that we bring His song to a silent, listening world. Whether it’s in times of laughter or tears, when we call out the name of Jesus, we allow others who need God to experience Him through who we are, the phrase “You show the world there can be music when you live in my love, you’re never the same’. Living out Jesus’ command to love one another is the proof that we belong to God. Once we have lived in His love, we will forever be changed, and always be a picture of who He is to a dying world.
The chorus goes on to remind us that “You have the hope, you know the truth, you know the way, you are the proof.” In my mind, writing this phrase, John 14:6 was in mind, where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Just as Jesus was sent by the Father to a dying world, as Jesus’ followers, we’re also sent to bring the good news of Jesus.
“Proof” is an important concept that appears in many of the songs on this project that I ended up calling, “Proof in the Mirror.” The title song and name for the CD didn’t come until a few months before we finished recording. These songs were written over the span of a decade with no intention to tie them together conceptually – this was the work of the Holy Spirit working through me.
Here is the proof that Jesus is alive, present and singing his love songs over us. And since He sings through us – He tells us, “You are my song.”
Chorus:
You bring the song; you bring the laughter, even in tears, when you call out my name
You show the world, there can be music, when you live in my love, you are never the same
You have the hope, you know the truth, you know the way, you are the proof
That I am alive, here every day, singing my love songs, I just want to say
You are my song
Verse two includes an invitation to sing with Jesus, to tell the story of His love. It’s a love that led Him to leave heaven, come to earth and give His life for us. He wants to awaken our soul and make us whole through His healing touch.
The second part of the verse is a challenge to live your life in such a way that it sings his sweet song. There is a reminder that every breath we take whispers out his name… this is a nod to the story behind the song that precedes this song on the CD, “Just a breath away.” Some have said when we breathe, it makes the sounds Yah and Weh ( in our inhaling and exhaling)… from that point of view every breath we take whispers God’s name. Job 12:10 says, “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”
God’s intention is that as we live our life rightly, it sings God a love song that will lead others to ask us about the hope, life and truth that we carry as Christians.
Verse 2
So come sing with me, come tell the story, of love that was shown, so long ago
I came to earth, to show you my glory, to tell you the truth, to bring you life
That awakens your soul, and makes you whole
So may your life, sing me a love song, the way that you live, sings a sweet melody
Every breath that you take, whispers out my name, as you live out this love song, others will say
Come save my soul, please make me whole
Daniel and Katie Blackman, the two people who I wrote this song for, served in ministry here at Neighborhood Church for ten years after they were married on that warm day of June in 2008. They are raising their three daughters down in southern California to love Jesus and sing His songs. I appreciate the integrity and whole-hearted devotion they live out. I’m thankful that Jesus gave me this song to bless their wedding day. This song is perfect reflection of Katie and Daniel.
May you hear the music of heaven that the Father sings over you.
May you learn to sing a harmony to His melody around you.
May your life have the beautiful sound of heaven. Just remember, Jesus says to you, “You are my song.”
We invite you to come worship with us at Neighborhood Church in Chico.
Our Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. is in the Dome.
You can live stream our service on Facebook and YouTube at 10:00 a.m.
Need encouragement? Text the word Encourage to 530.296.3689 to receive an encouraging scripture or quote from me several times a week that is sent right to your phone.
