You Reveal

For my Systematic Theology class we were given a couple of options of what we could do for our semester project: 1) Write a position paper 2) Do a creative piece (write a song, make a painting, etc.) reflecting one of the topics we had studied. This was pretty much a no-brainer. I wrote a song...

I had no idea the amount of effort it would take to write and record an original song, but despite the long hours, it was actually a quite enjoyable and rewarding process. We had very little recording experience, so it took about nine hours at church one day to get it all the tracks down. My friend Phil offered his knowledge of sound equipment, and band-mates Matt and Jason offered their musical abilities. I was very grateful for their help.

The song itself is entitled "You Reveal." It is about how God shows Himself to man, how we can know He exists, and how we can know what He desires of us. In short, God reveals Himself to all men through nature (creation) and our consciences. However, we often deny Him the credit for these things and do whatever we feel like doing with our lives. But, wanting us to truly know and obey Him, God sent His son Jesus to become man to show us what He is like, what He desires from us, and how we can reconcile our relationship with Him.

The creation process itself reminded me of how humans truly are created in the image of God. There is such a joy in creating things that seems to reflect the character of our creator. This is only the third song I have ever written, but it has inspired me to try to write more (at least once I get all my other homework done).

A link to the song is in the sidebar on the right under “My Music.” For those of you reading this on Facebook, you have to go to my blog to get to the link. Also, the lyrics are posted below. I hope you enjoy it.
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You Reveal

Can a man watch the sunset and not marvel at the sight?
Can a man see the ocean and not know deep down inside
There’s something more to life?

Can a man see the homeless and not wrestle with his plight?
Can a man see injustice and not long for what is right?
You’ve given us the means to know You for

You reveal Your glory in Your grand creation
Your work’s proclaimed in the skies
You write on the hearts of all the nations
Your desire for our lives

But we suppress Your truth, and we turn to our own way
Making you judgment just when in Your law we don’t obey
We are without excuse

You reveal Your glory in Your grand creation
Your work’s proclaimed in the skies
You write on the hearts of all the nations
Your desire for our lives

You desire us to truly know You
Desire us to truly worship
Desire us to glorify Your name
So you reveal Yourself in history
You reveal Yourself through Your own speech
You reveal Yourself through Your son

And through Jesus Christ the Your salvation You reveal
Showing us how to live and how our relationship can heal
You’ve given us the means to serve You

You reveal Your glory in Your great salvation
Through the works of Christ
He is the climax of Your revelation
Now we can live righteous lives
Now we can live Your will for our lives
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Credits:
Jon Durlauf - musical composition & lyrics, guitar, bass, vocals
Matt Gatewood - drums
Phil Horn- recording, mixing
Jason Walton - piano

Recorded at Crestwood Baptist Church on 10/18/08 & 10/22/08