Remembering Rich

“Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight you for something
I don't really want
Than to take what you give that I need”

It was 21 years ago this week that Rich Mullins went to glory. For my money, he was one of the best songwriters of the last century. I love modern day “praise and worship” music for what it is, but it can’t be considered to be very deep, devotional, or challenging.

The lines above are from one of my favorite Mullins’ songs called, “Hold Me Jesus.” The lyrics are like a devotional or something written after some intense time in Scripture. He condenses the human struggle with sin, fear and worry perfectly. Our hope is entirely dependent on God and outside our own rebellious weakness. It isn’t the sort of thing that works for congregational song, but it is the stuff of exquisite worship.

Do yourself a favor and go listen to any of his albums.