Joy

Michael Card rocks my world. Here's some of his stuff:

But our wounds are part of who we are
And there is nothing left to chance
And pain's the pen that writes the songs
That call us forth to dance
(from "Underneath the Door" on Scribling in the Sand)

If you've never listened to "Joy in the Journey," you absolutely must. I'll loan you the CD if that will help. As I type this post, I have my Walkman set to "Repeat 1," and each playback moves my heart even more. Read the lyrics through a few times and just mull over the truth. We in Christ have been born of the spirit! Oh how I long to be done with sin in my body! Oh how can it be that my God took on flesh! Oh what a cost we must pay and what a load we must bear, by oh all the more there is joy, wonder, wildness, and freedom! Oh God, may we obey!

There is a joy in the journey,
There's a Light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life,
and freedom for those who obey.

All those who seek it shall find it,
A pardon for all who believe.
Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind

To all who've been born of the Spirit
And who share incarnation with Him;
Who belong to eternity, stranded in time,
And weary of struggling with sin.
Forget not the hope that's before you,
And never stop counting the cost.
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost!

There is a joy in the journey,
There's a light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life,
And freedom for those who obey.
("Joy in the Journey" released "live" on Scribling in the Sand)