For those of you who don’t know, 7in7 is a great time of songwriting started, I believe, by Aaron Ivey, a friend and worship leader at my church, Austin Stone Community Church (which has a live worship record coming out December 6, quick plug). Anyway, the goal is to write 7 songs in 7 days. You have to start and finish a song every day. You can’t start from something you already have, no lyrics, no guitar parts. So it’s an exercise. One we do together. This year over 300 writers are a part of 7in7. And I’m behind already. I mean, I’ve written songs each day but I haven’t had time to post, so here is number one.

This song came from a couple of places. One is some conversations we’ve been having about worship at church. We’ve been talking about how some songs are very relational and some songs are very theological. So we talked about wanting to have both kinds of songs in a service. But as I thought about it, I wanted to start to write songs that were both. Either a verse that was relational and a chorus that was more declaring who God is, or vice versa. So that’s been on the back burner for a few weeks. Secondly, I’ve been reading “George MacDonald” by C.S. Lewis, which is a compilation of MacDonald thoughts on theology. It’s really an incredible book. I came across his confession, “I am poor, blind, wretched, miserable and naked.” Immediately, I thought, “This is day one song.” So here it is.

What This Beggar Needs

I am poor and blind and wretched
Miserable and naked
And I need… I need You
I am choking on the shame that makes me
Long to run away
But I know I need… I need You

‘Cause You’re the Fountain that fills my emptiness
Your Light in this darkness shines
You’re the Comfort in my loneliness
What this beggar needs, Your wealth supplies

I am wrestling with conviction
Probably running from correction
But I need… I need You
I am losing all the battles
No matter what side I am on
I know I need You

‘Cause You’re the Fountain that fills my emptiness
Your Light in this darkness shines
You’re the Comfort in my loneliness
What this beggar needs, Your wealth supplies

I come in filthy rags
Not because they’re beautiful
They’re just all I have
I want to bring You more
An offering for this poor, needy one
But it’s all Yours anyway

You’re the Fountain that fills my emptiness
Your Light in this darkness shines
You’re the Comfort in my loneliness
What this beggar needs, Your wealth supplies

You can take a listen here:

http://soundcloud.com/agnewsdei/what-this-beggar-needs

Thanks,

Todd