The following lyrics are from the U2 song "Yahweh." As I sit here in a class where we are dealing with the issue of "spiritual formations" and how we are growing in Christ, this song came to mind. In this class we are looking at developing ways for us to grow so that we may be healthy Christian leaders. At Multnomah Seminary there is the statement (As their goal for us): "Demonstration of commendable spiritual life and Christian Character in accordance with the seminary's code of conduct." Going through their "code of conduct" we see that everything is based off of guidelines for living found in the Bible. The interesting thing is that ultimately it is not about me and my power accomplish them per say, but in the transformative power of God in our lives. That's where the lyrics in this song come in…to be able to have healthy spiritual formation and development, it involves me turning over…surrendering my life over to God.
I think that for those that have a relationship with the God of the Bible, Yahweh, that this would be a good song to contemplate the focus of your life. Are you asking God to "take" whatever it is in your life and transform it? I struggle with this as much as anyone, but I think it's something good for me to focus on, and hope that you all find it encouraging too.
"Take these shoes…Click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes…And make them fit
Take this shirt…Polyester white trash made in nowhere
Take this shirt…And make it clean, clean
Take this soul…Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul…And make it sing
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn
Take these hands…Teach them what to carry
Take these hands…Don't make a fist
Take this mouth…So quick to criticise
Take this mouth…Give it a kiss
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn
Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?
Take this city…A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city…If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart…And make it break"
