Music is a constant in my life. It plays in my kitchen, bathroom, living room, car, classroom, and through my headphones on walks, travels, and everything in between. I make fall playlists and Christmas lists, custom soundtracks for being happy, sad, and on the road. I often joke that I never know about new music because I just listen to old favorite playlists over and over again, so earlier this summer I decided to do a little hunting. It felt like a new heart season and I wanted some fresh perspective and worship tracks for my mornings with Jesus, to encourage me to keep seeking him.
The Housefires albums have been my favorites over the past few years, but somehow (i.e. in my endless playlist repeating) I had missed their latest releases! A couple weeks ago I put them on shuffle then BAM, one of them stopped me in my tracks. The lyrics halted all thought and beat to the rhythm my soul hadn’t yet been able to name.
Pull me in closer, close to Your heart
May I be a pure reflection of all You are
Love that is patient, love that is kind
And love that keeps no offences or wrongs in my mind
Make me like Jesus
Make me like Jesus
My heart is an open space
For You to come and have Your way
I’m open, I’m open
My heart is an open space
For You to come and have Your way
I’m open, I’m open
You’re faithful to find me, right where I am
Though even in my wandering, You call me friend
And mercy receives me and lifts me to my feet
And I’m caught up in the wonder and mystery
I’ll know when Jesus
I’ll know when Jesus
The chorus brought tears and the inspiration for this page. When we open our hearts to Him and truly declare it an open space for God to come and have His way, our lives can be filled with color and wonder beyond our imaginings!
In a world that runs a million miles an hour and demands that we multi-task and multi-prioritize, our hearts can become a mess and begin to focus on the wrong things. I encourage you to take a good look at where your heart is and what is filling it today. If you must, literally draw a heart on a blank page and write in all that is on your mind and that seems to matter in this season. Ask God to highlight what he wants you to prioritize and what He may be asking you to release in order to give Him that open space.
He is near and here and willing to infuse our lives and hearts with color. Trust Him in that.
