Come As You Are

Last month during worship-time at our church, the praise team asked the congregation, “if you could only sing (or listen) to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?” We were then supposed to simultaneously speak out the title of the song. I heard someone say Revelation Song, another said Jesus Loves Me, while others stood temporarily speechless.

I was one of the mute ones…

That’s a loaded question and it would take me more than a two-second prompt to come up with a reasonable answer. In the days following, I’ve thought a lot about it.

There’s so much good music out there and the idea of narrowing my choice to one song overwhelms me in a thought-provoking way. To really constrict it down I think a person has to self-evaluate, consider what season of life they’re in, and then select what speaks and resonates within their heart.

Years ago (as an early teen) I probably would’ve chosen something from Janis Joplin. I loved her raspy voice, and belting out Me and Bobby McGee to the top of my lungs always felt so powerful.

A few short years after that, I regret to say, I fell into the rap genre. I listened to a lot of Eminem, which has nothing to do with chocolate covered candies for those of you who may not be familiar, and let’s just say any title of his music is probably “Rated R”. Thankfully that choice of music style didn’t last long for me. I probably wouldn’t have ever became Mrs. Witt if it would have. Mr. Witt isn’t a fan, although he makes an incredible impersonation of rappers…in a mocking sort of way. (Those of you who read the blog and see him, should ask him about it! 😉)

In my twenties I converted over to country music. They always played it during “hair school” and I couldn’t stand it to begin with, but toward the end I had succumbed. The biggest problem with country music (for me) was that it invoked a desire to drink. And not that I would drink every time of course, but more often than not I’d just even think, ‘hmm this would make a great drinking song!’ or ‘a red beer sure sounds nice right now.’

In my later twenties though, when I finally had my come to Jesus moment, I completely gave up drinking—which meant Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, and other such country music stars had to be kicked off my radar. I just didn’t trust that I had self-control to listen without a desire to drink, so it needed to be all Jesus and none of me or my selfish desires.

Okay so now as I’ve pondered the praise team’s question the past few weeks: If I had to listen to one song for the rest of my life, what would it be? 

Well I would’ve said Big Daddy Weave’s song, Redeemed, had I been asked early in my Christian faith. That song spoke so deep to me when I was figuring out who I was as a daughter of the King of kings. It really helped shape me into a strong believer…

Now, however, as a longer committed follower of Christ, I’d have to go with Come As You Are by Crowder. I feel like I could listen, sing, (maybe even play on my guitar one day) that song for the rest of my life. I love it. I love the hope and peace within the words. I love how the lyrics are so softly invitational, yet solidly bold with truth and persuasiveness. I love how those words could bring a new believer to the altar of Christ for the first time, or offer a humble calling to a child of God who has unmindfully wandered wayward. And when we read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John isn’t Jesus’ ministry saying come as you are—however you are?…This song of Crowder’s reminds me of the amazing hope and reassurance of God’s love and His acceptance of us—no matter where or what is happening in our lives.

What about you? If you were only able to sing or listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? And why?

…As I say and (ask) all of this I’m randomly wearing a Beatles shirt today (LOL)

Check out Come As You Are below:

Also I have a disclaimer to make to my husband…just to give you a heads up before you get home from work—

I may…or may not have…got the Suburban stuck (temporarily immobile as you would say) out by the pasture this morning when I had to take Paige to school because her school bus got stuck on a muddy county road…so there’s that.

…And if that doesn’t make me want to revert back to my country music days (Brad Paisley’s Mud on the Tires) I don’t know what would…

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

35 thoughts on “Come As You Are”

  1. Wow! That’s a tough question! Like you, I would have a difficult time narrowing it down. I also think that one song could never cover it all, so I know that one song would never do. However, if I really had to choose, I’d choose one of my “happy” songs: either Jeremy Camps “Word of Life” or Jordan Feliz’s “Changed.” I’m having a tough time choosing between the two, but I think “Word of Life” would win.

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    1. Oh ya I love the song “words of life”!!! That’s such a good one…there’s so many!!! Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if mine changed monthly…or weekly lol!! I hope you’re doing good! I’m so far behind on catching up reading posts:( but I’m going to catch up!!!!

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  3. Oh, how I can relate. As a long-time singer, music lover & Christian radio as my career, there are too many to choose. I am eclectic, and that helps, but it also widens the field of contenders. Singing in two different worship bands for two different churches, I am always moved by “Shout To The Lord”. “Revelation Song” moves me greatly. However, the old hymn, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”(?). You’re right. It all depends on the stages in life one has been through. When lyrics speak what the heart already does, but often not spoken, it squeezes the heart until it bursts into acknowledgement & praise. Music truly is His gift which schools us. Love your post. -Alan from Dallas.

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    1. ‘When lyrics speak what the heart already does, but often not spoken, it squeezes the heart until it bursts into acknowledgement & praise. Music truly is His gift which schools us.’ Love that thought of truth…sooo good!! Comments are sometimes my favorite part of blogging!!!….and (Shout to the Lord) that is a fantastic one…are you familiar with Tim Hawkins? His version of Shout to the Lord cracks me up!!!

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  4. One song for the rest of my life??? If I HAD to choose, it would be “In Christ Alone.” It tells the whole story of the gospel, and the story of my life. It would be a daily reminder of what Jesus did for me, all I have in Him today, and the pomise of what He has planned for me. It would also be a constant reminder of the truth that NONE of it is from me!
    After a while I would probably start making up new melodies for it, though. 😉 #alittleADD

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  5. A long time ago, but the song I would sing and still sing today is Clay Crosse’s “I Found Myself In You”. Rend Collective’s “Counting Every Blessing” is close second.

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  7. It almost hurts my head to think of such a prospect. One song? No way! I don’t think the Lord would let me get by with that anymore than He would leave me with only one Scripture verse for the rest of my life. Sometimes music plays in my head, and it doesn’t ask permission. Sometimes I wake up in the morning with a song playing in my head for no apparent reason.
    I was checking out the weather map and wondered what the weather is doing where you live. We’re having lots of rain, but it should be over in a couple of hours, so hopefully the basement won’t flood.

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      4. P.S. I’m not sure what happened; I must have accidentally unfollowed you, so I followed you again.
        Also, in rereading my first comment, above, I realized that it may have come across wrong. I like your idea and this post and the song you chose, I just don’t think at this stage of my life that I could choose just one song for myself. There was a time where I could have had one song: “God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see; He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side, with love and strength for each new day, He will make a way….” By Don Moen. ❤

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      5. I think wordpress isn’t always compatible with our phones and other devices so it doesn’t always recognize who we’re following, it’s kind of frustrating..that’s why I get behind on reading people’s posts because my phone isn’t recognizing whose blogs I follow and I have to really navigate around to get to my favorite blogger and their posts..you being one of them😉
        Anyway I love the words you have posted in your comment for that song, very pretty and reassuring!

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  11. So many choices. So many pieces of music that have taken me through so many phases of life. I think most recently of the song, “I almost let go” or maybe the name of the song is “God kept me…” no idea who sings it but I know and love every word. I guess I could look it up and some point, but the words literally brought me to tears and gave me hope on so many occasions.

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  12. I also changed my preference for music..
    I like Crowder and Third Day.. but also the old Hymns that carry so much depth and meaning by the writers..
    Fanny Crosby was an amazing Hymn writer..

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  13. Good but tough question! As much as I love contemporary worship, I’d probably pick an oldie like “Victory in Jesus” or “Peace in the Valley” as they are worshipful yet upbeat and hopeful.

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