Where I am, There You May Also Be

Rich Mullins recorded 9 songs on a battery powered cassette recorder in an abandoned church on September 10, 1997, nine days before his death. The songs were meant for a concept album based on the life of Jesus Christ, to be called Ten Songs About Jesus.  This song titled, That Where I Am, There You..." touches me this morning in a way that is hard to explain, but I will try. 

I posted earlier that I write from my feelings rather than from my thoughts, and that is where I am today writing from that place of pain.

Rich Mullins songs rather his poetry has always intrigued me with its heartfelt, raw authenticity of a life filled with a desperate hunger to be filled with the comforting, healing, and peaceful love of Jesus.  This journey of seeking, sharing and serving led Rich Mullins to an abandoned church where these songs were recorded.  I believe that during the recording of these 9 songs,  Rich  found himself in the awesome real presence of the Jesus he sought. 

These songs we hear in such raw form indeed actually represent a private concert,  a serenade,  for God and we are able to listen in.  That thought alone causes me to want to listen to these songs over and over again!

I need to hear these words, and the melodies over and over again for I truly believe that this man was a true prophet giving me insight into the heart of  Jesus and a glimpse of how living could be in this world.  The words of this particular song bring me comfort during days of turmoil, pain and uncertainty for myself and my family.

“In the world you will have trouble, but I leave you my peace
That where I am, there you may also be
Remember you did not choose me, no I have chosen you
Remember you did not choose me, no I have chosen you
The world will show you hatred, the Spirit show you truth
That where I am, there you may also be”

“In this world you will have trouble” – yes indeed – but Jesus says, “I leave you my peace that where I am, there you may also be”.  There is no promise that all is going to be ok, that I will be healed if  I pray hard enough, or that God is testing me….no!  Jesus is saying we will have troubles, such is the way of life in this Post Garden World!!  God told Adam and Eve in the creation story, “You Will Struggle Against the World”.  BUT! God Clothed Then and God Was With Them!

Thank you Rich Mullins for this gift of love and for this glimpse into the heart of the Jesus you came to know so personally and intimately! 

I have hope - hope that I am not alone in my pain, that I do not have to “Be” something other than who I am! 

Thanks Be To God!  Amen