Take My Worlds Apart...

The summer between my sophomore and junior years of college, I moved out of my parents' house and into a trailer for the summer with my best friend from high school and college and my youth group. That summer, I staffed a camp called Super Summer Arkansas for the first of three times ('95, '96, '98). It honestly changed my life, because though I had been wrestling with a call to student ministry for a while, it was the first time I realized I could actually do it. In that week, I learned so much about my potential to lead a group of students and minister to and help and listen and encourage them. On the way home, I was about 10 minutes from home, and the song "Worlds Apart" by Jars of Clay came on my little portable plug into the cigarette lighter cd player. I had heard it before, and liked it a lot. But in that moment, for the first time I remember, God broke me with a song. I was bawling as I drove that last few minutes as I reflected on what I had experienced and what I had learned. I was blown away. It was as if the words of that song became my prayer..."God whatever it takes, I'm yours, take my worlds apart, do what You wish." Looking back, I think it not only became my favorite song (and has remained that way for 15 years, even as I now have 8200+ songs in my iTunes), it also triggered and set into motion the journey that ultimately led me to surrender to ministry, and to the place I am today.

Last week, for the 11th time, I saw Jars of Clay in concert, and for about the 7th time of those, I heard them play "Worlds Apart," and it has been on my mind since. Tonight, I used it for the invitation song in youth group, and invited them to ask God to take their worlds apart, and to release themselves fully in surrender to Him. The prayer of "Worlds Apart" should be the prayer of all of us. It still to this day is my favorite song, and I'm not sure a more powerful song has ever been written. You're free to disagree, but I do ask you to give the song, and it's lyrics a listen/watch/read. Thanks for reading.
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"Worlds Apart"

I am the only one to blame for this, Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride, I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind, To rid myself of all but love, to give and die

To turn away and not become, Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans, more abundant than the tears Of a world embracing every heartache

Can I be the one to sacrifice, Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow

To love you - take my world apart. To need you - I am on my knees; To love you - take my world apart; To need you - broken on my knees

All said and done I stand alone, Amongst remains of a life I should not own
It takes all I am to believe In the mercy that covers me

Did you really have to die for me?All I am for all you are
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart

[Bridge]

I look beyond the empty cross, forgetting what my life has cost,and wipe away the crimson stains, and dull the nails that still remain. More and more I need you now, I owe you more each passing hour, the battle between grace and pride, I gave up not so long ago.
So steal my heart and take the pain, and wash the feet and cleanse my pride,
take the selfish, take the weak, and all the things I cannot hide.
take the beauty, take my tears, the sin-soaked heart and make it yours
take my world all apart, take it now, take it now,
and serve the ones that I despise, speak the words I can't deny,
watch the world I used to love, fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross, forgetting what my life has cost,
so wipe away the crimson stains, and dull the nails that still remain
so steal my heart and take the pain, take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide, take the beauty, take my tears
take my world apart, take my world apart,
I pray, I pray, I pray, take my world apart