It was one of those moments where I was in the right place at the right time. There I was sitting in my camper in a random state park in Texas, remembering I have an iPod full of songs not found anywhere else in the world. These unique, one-of-a-kind songs come from my obsession with recording live music when I was at concerts in college and beyond. I used my 8mm video camera (before cell phones had cameras!) and just hit record, holding it by my side… because I LOVE live music. There’s just something about a song performed live that sometimes, maybe most of the time, doesn’t come through in the studio version of the same song.
One performance I recorded was by Jars of Clay from over 20 years ago. At this concert on the campus of Florida State, they did a mashup of their 90s song “Worlds Apart” with one from what was their most recent album at the time, Redemption Songs, called “Hiding Place.” Somehow I got the song from an 8mm video tape into my iPod. Of course, there are a lot of other live performances I transferred, though I can’t really remember how. It’s such old technology now!
In the camper, I plugged the iPod into the camper sound system and just felt such a blessing come over me as the medley played. It’s a great blend of asking God to take my world– everything I think I know– apart while taking Jesus as my hiding place against….well, against everything. “Take my world apart” is such an applicable part of the lyrics. Now, almost more than ever, I want God to disassemble my selfish desires. Then rebuild. Renew. Recreate. Make a new mind for me. A more willing heart. “Christ, my hiding place.” It’s a lot like that song from Chris Rice (also from the 90s) called “Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus)”… come to Jesus and live. When things are crazy, life seems upside down, I can find rescue, shelter, safety, comfort, protection, provision, security, refuge… by bringing all my fears and burdens to Jesus.
Such a simple thought. Radical, but not complicated. I heard this Jars of Clay performance at the perfect time while I’m camping in Texas. Contemplating the future, while knowing my past isn’t perfect but it’s forgiven. Temptations are everywhere. Sin is common. But with Christ, I (and we) have a place to hide. All I need to do is, the best I know how, hide in Christ and pray He takes what I think I know, apart.
On a lighter note, ‘praise and worship’ music from the 90s was a little cheesy. At least I thought it was when I was a cool, hip teen during that decade. But what about the music coming from bands like Jars of Clay (and DCTalk, of course)? I don’t know if there was a better decade for Christian rock/mainstream music than the 90s. They made Christian music cool, and made cool Christian music.
That’s why on this random day in a Texas state park, I’m grateful for old technology and music that reminds me of the refuge Christ is for all of us.
Thanks for dropping in…
-Out of the Wilderness
Thanks for dropping in…
-Out of the Wilderness
Out of the Wilderness 