I was searchin’ for a place
that I never had found before
I knew I would never be whole
unless I lived for something more

but I didn’t know
what I needed inside
was something perfect and pure

and I didn’t know
when I ran to hide
I was running away from the cure

You stayed with me
you set me free
now I can see
that the chains are gone
I’m not alone
I’ve found life
I can survive
because I’ve found you

life is so much better now
than it ever was before
now I have Your breath of life
I have need for nothing more

Now I really know
what real love really is
it’s perfect and it’s pure

Now I really know
I don’t have to hide
because I have found the only cure

How many times have you strayed into the darkness
trying to find a way out of the mess your in
not knowing where to turn for help
or how to see the light again

How many times have you been stubborn
insistent on doing things on your own
as if you can carry
a ten ton bag of stones alone

You think you are being so independent
when really you are drowning inside
but I can see through to the pain
that you think your facade can hide

What good is it to be strong by yourself
when you are just getting by
dragging along each day
too numb to cry

Is it fair to yourself to hide your heart
to guard yourself so much
that you can’t even open up
enough to feel God’s touch

Have you ever felt absolutely filthy in the sight of God? I have. And just like every other person in this world, I struggle daily with the sin that is the filth that covers my flesh.

I have days where I feel like I’m dragging, and all the thoughts are focused on the doubt of my calling, how I am not “Christian” enough, not Godly enough, to be the leader that God has called me to be, and that my gifts and talents have been made useless by my own weakness and willingness to give in to temptation, anger, and sin. That voice of deceptions tells me, “You’re no example. What are you doing up there ’serving the Lord?’ You’re never going to be good enough.” And sometimes I believe it.

But then, there is always some small reminder that puts me back in focus, and gives me the proper perspective.

I sang at church on Sunday, and that morning I was feeling really down on myself. I was wondering how I was going to sing there’s only grace, there’s only love, there’s only mercy, and believe me it’s enough with any sort of conviction.

As the music began, I prayed, “Lord, just please help me. Give me peace.”

I sang the words, and at the end of the song realized that God had given me a gift through that song, and that those lyrics were speaking to me in that moment, to what was in my heart.

Wow. I didn’t expect that.

God never changes. He always forgives. He always shows love, mercy, and grace to us. And that’s enough to wash away even the most disgusting filth we could ever get ourselves into. Even if it’s for the hundredth time.

Only Grace by Matthew West

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, get back up
Get back up again

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough, it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough, it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

so get back up, get back up again
get back up again

Take me to Your hiding place
take me to Your grace
take me to Your holiness
I want to feel You in this place

’cause I’m feeling broken
I’ve fallen on my face
and all I can do
is turn to you
and ask you to
pick me up again

I’ve come so far, so far
I could jump for joy
You’ve been here, so near
all along this journey

And I
know You’ll stay
and You will
be the same
and I will follow You
because You want me to
and I am Yours
oh, oh

Life’s been so dark, so dark
for many a year
but You’re the constant light
shining so bright

Lost on this road
and I was
carrying this load
it was the weight of the world
on my tiny shoulders
but You
You came along
and my burdens were gone
and all I can do
is thank You

How can I feel so empty
when I’m supposed to be full of you
yet I lay here crying
not knowing what I should do

The farther I feel from you
the farther you drift away
losing the power of the words
that I always used to say

I’ve lost all my control
because I had to take control
instead of letting you drive

And all of this wrestling
has taken its toll
and I feel less and less alive

the fire is gone inside
and I know I need to seek shelter in you
but my own will prevails
and I keep saying I don’t want to
even though I really do

Please, God, just take my will
rearrange my inner face
that has turned to the wicked
instead of your grace