Lord, We Need You Now

KB took late shift driving back home on Monday night, as she often does, and while the rest of the car slept, she and I chatted in the front seat about the summer and listened to music. Casting Crown's was playing and the song, "If We've Ever Needed You" resonated with both of us. KB shared how she and Tim (Echols, Founder of TeenPact (http://www.teenpact.com/), now running for Public Service Commissioner in GA (http://www.timechols.com/) were driving one day as they campaigned and this song came on. They looked at each, agreed to rock and cranked it out-loud. This image of the 2 of them, singing with gusto, dancing in tune, agreeing in faith together makes me really, really happy.


For one, Tim is one of those people that I will respect till the day I die. First of all, he is, possibly, the most resourceful person I know. Secondly, he has a clear vision for youth. He understands that leadership is far more than just bossiness or getting others to do what you say, but has a bigger definition of it which includes blessing others beyond what you, or they, think you can. He has created opportunities for scores of young people to grow and do and be and discover all that God has for them. He's done that by surrounded himself with people who are talented and visionary as well, like our good friends, the Stansbury's, who lead "Survival" each year (http://www.teenpact.com/index.php?page=challenge), and are seeing God work in mighty ways through their love for others.

And of course, KB. She is beautiful, and sweet and full of ginger and dramatic and talented and a visionary herself (Vermillion Road) . She is one of those people that I will respect till the day I die. She has big dreams. She has lotsa talent and hopes and resourcefulness and she's going to continue to influence and have a profound effect on the people in her life, as she already does.

The thought of these 2 people, that I appreciate and respect so much, driving along, singing this song at the top of their lungs makes me happy. And gives me chills. And brings tears to my eyes. One almost 50 and the other almost 20- a generation apart but sharing a heart hunger for the Lord to come and make straight the broken places. I feel it's prophetic in a way. A man whose life has been about igniting passion in others, of providing opportunities and disciplining them. And KB, one of those whose life has been profoundly affected by her relationship with the things Tim has done, hungering for the same things- heart connection with others, the deep things of God brought to bear on this earth, in some small way, through their obedience. They are the church, my church, reaching out with all their strength, their hands raised, their lives laid at His feet.
My heart resonates with the picture in my head and I say, in agreement, "Yes, Lord. We need you now."

If We've Ever Needed You (Casting Crowns)
Songwriters: Hall, John Mark; Herms, Bernie;

Hear our cry, Lord, we pray
Our faces down, our hands are raised
You called us out, we turned away
We've turned away

With shipwrecked faith the idols rise
We do what is right in our own eyes
Our children now will pay the price
We need Your light, Lord, shine Your light

If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
All our hearts, all our strength
With all our minds, we're at Your feet
May Your kingdom come in our hearts and lives
Let Your church arise, let Your church arise

If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
We're reaching out
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, reaching out
We need You now
Revive us now
We need You now

Amen and Amen