This was probably my favorite song that didn’t make it on the new record. And since there’s still no definite news about the record, I thought I’d tell you about this song instead. It’s really continuing the journey of On A Corner In Memphis. In fact, the alley that I picture in my brain is one in Memphis. So basically it’s addressing the idea that God’s truth can come from anywhere. The other day I was reading about Balaam and his donkey. You can read it yourself in Numbers 22 (and end up like I always do reciting, “Balaam, he had a donkey, who was gentle and true and kind.” Free copy of NEED to whoever can identify that quote first.) In the story, Balaam is saved from God’s wrath by a talking donkey, and not the one from Shrek. But God doesn’t just use donkeys. He uses all of us. Not just those who have been to seminary. Now that doesn’t mean seminary isn’t important or valuable. It just means that someone who hasn’t been to college has just as valid a relationship with God. The homeless man has just as valid opinion on who God is to him as I do. Therefore, I can learn about God from anyone who knows him. ANYONE. And I ignore other people’s opinions about God to my peril. So I told this story through a song. But it didn’t make the record. But you can read it here, and probably hear it live sometime.
Wherever We Go
I got lost downtown last Saturday
A dark alley on a stormy night
A man dropped down from a fire escape
And I nearly died with fright
He said, “I’m sorry, sir, There’a nothing to fear.
There’s no one left but the broken here
But you’re welcome to stay.
It’s out of the rain.”
And he said,
“I don’t know you or where you’ve been.
I don’t know where you think you’re going to, but
All I know is I found Jesus can reach us
Wherever we go. Wherever we go.”
He told me stories I had long forgotten
From when I was a child
About Daniel in a lions’ den
And his three friends in the fire
He said, “You’ll find God on the streets of Sodom
And at heaven’s pearly gates,
But tonight He’s downtown,
Around this fire of the broken-down.”
He said,
“”I don’t know you or where you’ve been.
I don’t know where you think you’re going to, but
All I know is I found Jesus can reach us
Wherever we go. Wherever we go.”
And I said, “Who are you to lecture me
On life and God above?”
He said, “Once I was just like you,
But lost everything I loved.
My family, my job, my home, my life it came unwound.
But he never let me go; He never let me down.”
He said,
“I don’t know you or where you’ve been.
I don’t know where you think you’re going to, but
All I know is I found Jesus can reach us
Wherever we go. Wherever we go.”
c.2011 Ardent/Koala Music All rights reserved.
The lyrics are from a song by Rich Mullins called “Who God Is Gonna Use.”
I love the lyrics from your song, ” . . . my life it came unwound.
But he never let me go; He never let me down.” Maybe sometime you can do an indie record with all of the songs that didn’t make it on the label.
Rich Mullins! The song is “Who God is gonna use”. 😀
@Brenda- Good job! lol. . .
This theme, as you say continuing from “On a Corner in Memphis,” is so powerful and significant. I really appreciate the story in this song, too. I have shared “On a Corner in Memphis” with many, many people. In fact, I recently included it in what I called “Kingdom Soundtrack” for a class I am teaching – “Kingdom Citizenship 101.” It is so vital for us to recognize and act on a realization that Father is at work everywhere – well beyond the “sanctuary” on Sunday morning – maybe **especially** beyond those stained glass windows. Reminds me of another great song on this theme – “Out There” – a duet by Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith – it was on a compilation album called “Roaring Lambs” a while back.
Keep trusting and inquiring of Yhvh, Todd!
Shalom.
In praise Sunday last, we sang “Is it for me, Dear Savior?” and I thought of you. Ever consider a re-work of this tender classic?
Is it for me, Thy welcome,
Thy gracious “Enter in,”
For me Thy “Come, ye blessed,”
For me so full of sin?
Refrain.
O Savior, my Redeemer,
What can I but adore,
And magnify and praise Thee,
And love Thee evermore?
If this song didn’t make the album then I can’t begin to imagine what did make the cut! Todd, you should seriously consider writing a book. You have a gift of making things so easy to understand. AND as a bonus to the book “Cooking With Todd: The DVD”
Love the lyrics, (would love to hear the song!) 🙂
But then again, I have never heard a song that you have done that God hasn’t spoken to me through. I totally understand what you mean about God using every little moment to teach us, and to say to us; “do you trust me?”
I was saved at a young age but spent most of my 45 years as a carnal Christian, caught up in my pride and the snares of the flesh. But I look back through all of that, and see how God worked in my life, teaching me the lessons that I needed to learn in so many little ways to bring me back into the fold. His patience and Grace, (and the unceasing prayers of my mother,) finally paid off and now I can’t get enough of Jesus and his Holy Word.
God Bless you and yours, Mr. Agnew, and keep doing God’s work. Your Fruit is obvious. 0:)
I think I remember you singing this song in Weslaco, TX several months, maybe a year, ago. I loved it. Your songs are amazing, so pure; what real Christians think. I love reading your blog and listening to your music because you are always so real, even when the things that are said are not what is expected, it is pure and true and how you feel about your relationship with God. Thank you for that.
I must hear these unreleased songs…. I will pay for them! Please release at least as bonus songs, please!