Story 13 | Lifted, Chapter Two

As we approach Christmas, enjoy a sample chapter from my in-development devotional Lifted, in which each chapter shares more of the meaning behind a contemporary worship song.

Dec 19, 2024

It’s taken me years to see, but there is a clear trend in my writing: so much of it revolves around music.

Today I’m sharing yet another iteration: a Christian devotional based on contemporary worship music that I’m hoping to publish one day.

Devotionals are Christian books that offer specific spiritual readings for each day. These short readings offer a lesson and often point to a passage of Scripture.

This won’t be for everyone, and that’s okay. I wanted to offer you a glimpse into another passion project of mine.

Can you see why I decided to pursue writing full-time? I’ve got so many ideas squirreled away!

LIFTED: Stories Behind the Songs We Love to Sing in Worship

OVERVIEW

For those who are moved to tears during worship, for those who lift their hands and voices in celebration to feel the joy, for those who play the songs at home to calm and comfort – and for those who don’t know where to start, this devotional is rooted in the music that brings us to the Lord. These are the songs that we hum after service, that follow us where books and sermons cannot, that elicit such deep emotion and connection. These songs are both a powerful ministry and an approachable entry point for those seeking God.

Each chapter of Lifted presents a new song for meditation, guiding the reader through a simple practice to listen, learn and reflect.

Listen / First, the reader is invited to listen to the song and react to the prompt “What do you hear?” with a short journal section.
Learn / Then, I share the results of my interviews with the artists to reveal their heart for and provide new insight on the song. Related scripture verses will be paired for further study.
Reflect / Each chapter closes with the lyrics of the song to take notes on as well as space to journal on prompts from the passage and song.

This practice amplifies the power of the worship, anchors a ritual in hearing these songs with new ears, and provides a creative, approachable path to understand and relate to God.

Raised outside the church, I was unfamiliar with the rituals and vocabulary of Christianity, increasing my awkwardness as I sought faith. Praise and worship songs were the accessible, essential path that always cut through to draw me God. As my faith matured, these songs were the bridge to a deep relationship with God, in which I learned of his heart and love for me, in which I heard his voice and callings for me, in which he comforted me and made me feel known.

Lifted reinvents the devotional for the music-obsessed and provides an accessible path for the seeking.

Note: For the sake of my book proposal, instead of conducting interviews with the artists, I researched their public statements on the songs to identify relevant quotes and draft sample chapters that model the finished product. I cite the sources of those public statements here, but in the devotional, I would work primarily – almost exclusively – from the artist interviews I conduct.

SAMPLE CHAPTER

Song / Banks

Artist / NEEDTOBREATHE

Album / Out Of Body

Written By / Trent Dabbs, Nathaniel Rinehart, William Rinehart

The First Listen: What do you hear?

The Devotional

A few years ago, my friend Justin presided over a wedding set along a gently flowing river amid a vineyard. I’ll be honest, unless coming from a particularly clever speaker, the officiant’s address is not the highlight of a wedding for me. I’m there for the covenant, the kiss, the cake and the dance party. I knew Justin’s address would be funny and heartfelt, but I was not prepared how much it would resonate with me, long after the wedding.

Justin own words flowed through the air to summon the Spirit of the covenant uniting the couple before us: “Just as banks make rivers possible, covenant makes love possible.” He explained it is boundaries, paradoxically, that allow freedom to flourish. He instructed the couple to look at each other’s faces and behold the metaphorical banks of their river. Everyone talks about marriage being “work,” and while I believe them, that feels amorphous. I loved how Justin nodded to the realistic sacrifice of marriage, while highlighting the benefits. The banks do not restrict the power or flow of a river, but instead gave shape and direction. As Justin put it, “What’s a river without banks? A flood!”

This picture came further into focus a couple years later when NEEDTOBREATHE released the fifth single from their Out of Body album: Banks. When I listen to this song, I immediately think back to Justin’s homily – the banks!

NEEDTOBREATHE also had marriage in mind when writing this. The Southern rock band introduced the track on Instagram with the following thoughts: “Banks is about the women in our lives... they are strong, ambitious, patient, caring and intelligent forces of nature. This is our way of saying we support you and that there’s nothing more beautiful than watching you effortlessly become the very thing you were made to be.”[1]

Lead vocalist and co-writer of the track Bo Rinehart went on, “Banks is a song dedicated to our spouses who have supported us from day one. It is a promise and a reminder that whether we are near or miles apart, our love for them grows and strengthens with every day.”[2]

This song is a thoughtful pledge of partnership from a man singing to a woman, emulating the lead singer addressing his wife. Where Justin likened the banks more to boundary and sacrifice, NEEDTOBREATHE adds the idea of the banks giving support and championing the river. The tone is one of deep respect – “I ain’t saying that you need my help” – and shows a desire to complement and support without restricting, an invitation for the woman to choose and communicate whatever support she needs.

The central line of this song is: “I want to hold you close but never hold you back, I’ll be the banks for your river.” What a beautiful illustration of covenant and marriage.

I cannot help but hear a second layer of meaning.

As you listen, shift the characters in the song from husband singing to wife – to God singing to his bride, the Church, us. “Hold you close but never hold you back” sounds like the ultimate gift: free will and support in one. He wants the very best for us, has blessed us with countless gifts, marvels at his creation in us. He just wants to be by our side, ready with a guiding voice and the light of truth when the darkness closes in.

This song gives me pause. Do I recognize how God loves me? How others love me? Do I love others with an open hand? How does your marriage or relationship with a loved one take on similarities to this riverbank, loving someone freely?

At the time of Justin’s address, I assumed this illustration of the banks and freedom was an anecdote straight from the Bible. Then, hearing “Banks,” the echoes between the two were so obvious, that when I sat down to write this passage for you, I searched for the referenced Scripture for hours. No doubt, the Bible speaks to sacrificial love, but this direct allegory is not to be found.

Listen Deeply

What stands out most to you? Reflecting on the significant relationships in your life, how do you or your loved one emulate this metaphor of the river and banks? Who came to mind for you when you were listening?

Thank you so much for reading! Your feedback is welcome: rate the story with one click in this poll, or get a discussion going in the comments.

Story Twelve, pt 2 | A Meet Cute For Christmas

Elisabeth Edelman

December 12, 2024

Read full story

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