Grateful For Music Challenge Day 20

Song(s): Jesus Take the Wheel & I Can Only Imagine

Artist(s): Carrie Underwood & MercyMe

I watched this really great (and really long) video today:

It's a video of a bunch of young adults (most probably in their early 20's) from all over the country and from all different walks of life watching the entire first season of the PHENOMONAL show The Chosen. At one point near the end, after they've finished watching, they get to speak with Jonathan Roumie who beautifully portrays the Savior (hands down my favorite portrayal of Christ). Roumie shared a short story about his faith journey and it struck me deeply. Listen to his story at minute marks: 1:32:35-1:34:36. 

Watching the above video and hearing about these different people's trials and struggles they've endured brought tears to my eyes. I related most to the mental health challenges many of them spoke about. I shared an experience I had watching an episode of The Chosen a couple weeks back. This show is powerful and I always come away with a greater desire to follow Jesus Christ more and be healed by Him. 

Life keeps getting harder. I feel bad because I feel like I'm always complaining about my challenges when I have so much good in my life. I know I am truly blessed beyond measure. But, my life has never been easy and hasn't gone the way I ever dreamed and imagined it would. I'm entering this weird new chapter of my life and more than ever before I keep feeling an impending dread. I don't want to go on. I don't want to be here anymore. 

After hearing about Jonathan Roumie's incredible experience after he decided to give his life completely over to the Lord, the thought came to my mind: "I want to do that too." I'll be honest, I'm hoping, praying, to receive a miracle like he did. I need a miracle more than ever. I am re-committing myself and my life to God. Fully. All of me. I'm so tired of living and feeling like this every single day. Feeling angry and afraid and anxious. I need you Jesus. Please help me. 🙏

This is a jumbled mess. I'm tired and emotional and drained. I feel numb. But, the above chaotic word vomit is what inspired today's two songs. 

Jesus Take the Wheel

I'm letting God take full control of my life. I have no idea what I'm doing and I've done a terrible job these past 30 years. I'm done. I'm surrending it all to Jesus.

She was drivin' last Friday on the way to Cincinnati

On a snow-white Christmas Eve

Goin' home to see her mama and her daddy

With the baby in the backseat

Fifty miles to go and she was runnin' low

On faith and gasoline

It'd been a long hard year

She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention

She was goin' way too fast

Before she knew it

She was spinnin' on a thin black sheet of glass

She saw both their lives flash before her eyes

She didn't even have time to cry

She was so scared

She threw her hands up in the air

"Jesus, take the wheel

Take it from my hands

'Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go

So give me one more chance

Save me from this road I'm on

Jesus, take the wheel"

It was still gettin' colder when she made it to the shoulder

And the car came to a stop

She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat

Sleepin' like a rock

And for the first time in a long time

She bowed her head to pray

She said, "I'm sorry for the way

I've been livin' my life

I know I've got to change

So from now on tonight"

"Jesus, take the wheel

Take it from my hands

'Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go

So give me one more chance

Save me from this road I'm on

Oh, Jesus, take the wheel"

"Oh, I'm letting go

So give me one more chance

Save me from this road I'm on

From this road I'm on

Jesus, take the wheel

Oh, take it, take it from me"

Oh, woah, ooh

I Can Only Imagine

This song makes me cry every single time! 😭 I hope, in the end, all of this will be worth it. I think it will be, but sometimes, it's just hard. It's hard to keep going. It's hard to imagine that the pain will really end some day. When it does, I'll fall down on my knees in gratitude beyond comprehension. 🙏

I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk by Your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see

When Your face is before me

I can only imagine, yeah

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You, Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes

And I find myself standing in the sun/son

I can only imagine when all I will do

Is forever—forever worship You

I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You, Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You, Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is forever—forever worship You

I can only imagine 

An original cover from everybody's favorite daddy-daughter duo! 😊 Feat. Nathan Pacheco