Let me share this wonderful song from the late Rich Mullins. His last album was released posthumously as a two disc set. The first disc consists of acoustic demos recorded by Rich on a portable tape player in an old country church. The second is a tribute album; each of the demos has been fully produced and recorded by other artists. Personally, I recommend the demos over the tributes almost universally.
Do you who live in heaven
hear the prayers of those of us who live on earth,
who are afraid of being left by those we love
and who get hardened in the hurt?
Do you remember when you lived down here
where we all scraped
to find the faith to ask for daily bread?
Did you forget about us
after you had flown away?
Well, I memorized every word you said;
still I’m so scared, I’m holding my breath,
for you’re up there just playing hard to get.Do you who live in radiance
hear the prayers of those of us who live in skin?
We have a love that’s not as patient as yours was,
still we do love now and then?
Did you ever know loneliness? Did you ever know need?
Do you remember just how long a night can get
when you are barely holding on and your friends fall asleep
and don’t see the blood that’s running in your sweat?
Will those who mourn be left uncomforted,
while you’re up there just playing hard to get?And I know you bore our sorrows.
And I know you feel our pain.
And I know that it would not hurt you less
even if it could be explained.
And I know that I am only lashing out
at the one who loves me most.
And after I have figured this song out
what I really need to knowis if you who live in eternity
hear the prayers of those of us who live in time?
We can’t see what’s ahead and we
cannot get free from what we’ve left behind.
I’m reeling from these voices that keep screaming in my ears,
all these words of shame and doubt, blame and regret.
I can’t see how you’re leading me unless you’ve led me here
to where I’m lost enough to let myself be led.
You said you’ve been here all along. I guess
It’s just your ways and you are
just plain hard to get.
Hard To Get from the album “The Jesus Demos” by Rich Mullins. (iTMS link /Amazon link)
*****
Does Prayer Change God’s Mind: Part 1
Does Prayer Change God’s Mind: Part 2
Does Prayer Change God’s Mind: A Poetic Interlude
Does Prayer Change God’s Mind: Part 3
Does Prayer Change God’s Mind: Part 4 (Last)
Re: the album – agreed. I prefer the demos 10 times out of 10.
This is perhaps my favorite song ever. Thanks for making me think of it today.
It, along with Peace from “A Liturgy…” is on my short list.