I heard my heart echoing emotions long forgotten
As I listened to songs so precious so long ago.
They are sweet to my soul, reminding me of
Things hidden in the treasure chest of memory—
Like the tangible abiding love of Jesus
It seems I was born with, but at the least
Knew when I was four begging the baptismal
Death and resurrection of commitment to Christ.
Lyrics ingrained in my heart, though thought forgot,
Came to my lips readily and some ocean-sized feeling,
Unnamable, intangible, roared in me…
Something akin to joyful sorrow
Like knowing you can never go home again,
But home is always with you anyway.

Passion stirred up a maelstrom!
I thought with wonder, I knew this! I remember that!
How could I forget… about God’s love and faithfulness.
The childlike expectation of end-time imminence
Rushed through my being again, and
I remember what it felt like to really care
That the world around me needs Him desperately,
That I should reach out every chance I get to share
How amazing His grace is,
How infinitely incredible it is to be redeemed,
Freed from the burden of guilt and
Free to find joy in living through His Holy Spirit
Even when life is hard—
All the things I thought I knew and shared already.

First love is different the second time around,
But it still transforms somehow.
Nostalgia cannot change the past,
But my present is being changed
Thanks to all those who chose to share
The memories of God’s revolutionary work of love
In those days of hungry passion for Him,
When people didn’t just say they wanted to make a difference…
They MADE a difference!
And all those changed lives sat, listened, stood, and cheered last night,
In hopes that we can all awaken to the realness beyond reality
And go out and alter the world around us NOW.

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