Alive Again

It's been too long, and I'm hungry for a writing outlet again. Round three. :)


And I won't say too much today. I've lived a lot of life since the last post, and I'm still feeling my way back into triviality, rediscovering washing dishes and watching birds and making hot chocolate. I still don't think I can reach it for you yet, but I've something better today anyhow.

Joel introduced me to Matt Maher's Alive Again CD last weekend. I've heard the cover song on K-Love for a few months now, and enjoyed it -- but it's just a generic, catchy CCM personal-resurrection anthem, as the title so subtly implies. But Joel explained the theory of the whole CD, how it begins with a bright song to draw the listener in and gradually creeps into poignant, wince-inducing truth. And he was right. We listened to it on a road trip, and the point of theology this "CCM" reached, the hard things it dared to speak, took my breath away. Matt Maher must be a pastor.

And this particular song was near the end. Please note the departure from bland, self-help exorcism, the fact that the speaker's pain is not the whole world, the incredibly humble conclusion he reaches (humble in that he forgets himself entirely). It comes to a full circle, justifying and maturing the first, "I was blind and now I see -- happy day!" song. The music grows spiritually, with increasing knowledge and love of Christ, and it's breathtaking to listen to.


You Were on the Cross, Matt Maher

Lost, everything is lost
And everything I've loved before is gone
Alone like the coming of the frost
And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart

And where were You when all that I've hoped for?
Where You when all that I've dreamed?
Came crashing down in shambles around me

You were on the cross

Pain, could you take away the pain?
If I find someone to blame, would it make my life seem easier?
Alone, all my friends are asleep
And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me

Where were You when sin stole my innocence?
Where were You when I was ashamed?
Hiding in a life I wish I never made

You were on the cross, my God, my God, alone, alone
You were on the cross, You died for us, alone, alone
You were on the cross, victorious, alone, alone

You were there in all of my suffering
And You were there in doubt and in fear
I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear