Monday Morning Musings: The Blessing of a Broken Heart

Below are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. I'm very grateful that I have this on MP3, for I'm certain that a tape would be well worn, and a CD would be in scratches by now.

I Want A Broken Heart
words and music by Derek Webb

I’ve got faith in the bank and money in my heart

I’ve got a calloused place where your ring used to be, my love
I’ve traded naked and unashamed for a better place to hide

for a righteous mask, a suit of fig leaves and lies

I thought the cattle on a thousand hills was not enough to pay my bills and I fell in love with those who proved me wrong, and now I want a broken heart

Now there’s a great pad lock on the place where I was free, and I’m feeling bad from swallowing that key
Now I work real hard but I mostly call in sick of a broken back from the ground fighting back at me

I cannot look you in the eye so I check the knots on my disguise ‘cause I fell in love with fashion in the dark and now I want a broken heart

I’ve got alibis for every crime a substitute to do my time ‘cause Your heart breaks enough on both our parts so now I want a broken heart

now I want a broken heart

now I want a broken heart

Every time this song queues up on my player, I end up listening to it at least three times in a row. It's one of those songs I find to be simultaneously convicting and soothing. As I listen to the words, I'm reminded of how easy it is to worship the blessings I've received over the Giver of those blessings; how I've become infatuated with this world and work so hard to justify my greed; how quickly I forget the life and sacrifice which freed me from the bondages of sin and made me righteous. I'm so thankful for artists like Derek Webb who can so brilliantly put the truths of the Gospel into a beautiful song.

May the Lord continue to graciously chisel away the barnacles of sin from our calloused hearts, and pour in His holiness and love, conforming us more and more each day to His Son.