Day 24

Welcome Back!

I am currently on a mission to listen to only Christian music for 30 days, and you are wondering what might have inspired me to do this challenge, then I suggest that you go back and read my very first blog. If you are wondering as to what kind of effect that this might have been having on my life, then I suggest that you go and read any other blog that I have written. Now, let’s get into the blog for today.

Alright, we are almost caught up, and yes, this is my second blog post this morning. Again, I understand that it might not be morning when you read this, but I am going to say it again, Good Morning! I just finished a blog talking about a song from For King and Country, so if you are curious about that, then go read Day 23 of my blog. For this blog, I am going to spotlighting a little bit different of a song, and that is because this song is a Christian Rock song from a band called Ashes Remain. This is a band that I first hear on my all-time favorite radio station, which is a Christian Alternative station called Pulse 101.7 back home in Iowa. If you are ever in the Des Moines metro area, I suggest that you give this station a listen. Anyways, the band is very much a Christian rock band, and these guys know how to get after it. This is not metal however, but if you are into that, I do believe that these guys do make some of those kinds of songs. If you listen to them, it is quite obvious that some of their biggest influencers were 3 Doors Down, Rage Against the Machine, and 311. The song that I have chosen to spotlight was one of their first big hits, and it is called “Here For a Reason”. So without further ado, let’s get into the song.

The song starts off with a very nice combination of a piano, drums, and guitars, and it sounds amazing. Once the music starts really going, a chorus of “ohs” come in, and again, if you know me, I’m all about the “ohs”. Then the lyrics come in, and they go like this: “You are not forgotten, you’re not alone. You think you’re worthless, but you’re worth it, and he calls you his own. Made in his image, You were made for more, You think there is no plan, that it’s all by chance, but don’t believe that anymore!” It is quite clear from the outset that this is going to be a song of hope, and uplifting messages, and I think that there cannot be enough of those kinds of songs. As the lyrics state, you are not forgotten! God remembers you, and he even says so in his word. In Psalm 9:12, the psalmist says, “For he who requires blood remembers them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.” God loves you so much that he will never forget about you, or what it is that you are going through. Another lyric that I think is important is the part that talks about how we are made in his image. That is something that I think a lot of people forget about, because it is really easy to forget about how our bodies are designed to be reflecting the image of Christ. So we need to treat our bodies in such a way. In Genesis 1:27, the Bible literally says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” So because God created us in his image, then we need to remember to treat ourselves and each other as what we are, image bearers of God! And I think that this song does a great job of explaining that to the people in a way that many people will enjoy hearing. Now, let’s get back into the song, and dive into the main chorus, because that is the part of the song that is going to stick with most of the people.

The main chorus goes like this: “Every time that you wake up breathing, every night when you close your eyes, Every day that your heart keeps beating, there’s purpose for your life, So don’t give up, don’t lay down, Just hold on, don’t quit now, every breath that take has meaning, you are HERE FOR A REASON.” Wow, those are some powerful lyrics! I think that is something that we all need to remember! Sometimes it is easy to forget that God gives us each breath that we take, and if we have breath to take, then that means that God is not done with us on this earth. That means that there is a reason that we are still on this earth! Whether that means we are working our job in such a way that we are bringing blessings to others, or whether it means that we are trying to spread the good news of God’s word to others, or whatever your purpose is, there IS a purpose for your life. And God wants you fulfill that purpose! So we should not live our lives in a cloud of self doubt and insecurities, because we are made in the image of God, and because he keeps giving us breath, then we are going to be called to fulfill our prupose on this earth. Now, I understand that for some of you, finding that purpose is the hard part, but I trust that with God’s help, you will find what it is that you are called to do. However, I feel as though whatever your purpose ends up being, it is most likely going to be something that you enjoy doing, because God knows that a joyful worker, is a fruitful worker! So take heart in knowing that God has a plan for your life, and whatever that plan is, you are going to love it! So go out there, and find your purpose! Don’t give up on the plan that God has for you, because God will NEVER give up on you! You are never too far gone away from him that his grace can reach you! Thank you for reading this blog, and I pray that it has been an encouragement to you! God bless you!