rise

I know what I'm supposed to be doing right now. And I'll get to it. I'll pull my eyes from those ceiling beams, and the sunlight that has spread like warm buttercream over that tiny triangle of wall near the window. I'll open a document and switch to something mindless, an instrumental playlist that will stay politely in the background of my thoughts--so unlike this praise song that has my heart drifting toward heaven.

This song is my song right now. For weeks--maybe months now--it's the song I keep returning to, again and over again, when I miss God and want to tug on His sleeve. Paul Baloche has put it all to music for me. And when I hear it, I ache. It's the ache of missing the one you love the most. My longing fills this library, and while the people here are wandering past one another with heads down or heads in books or heads scanning the spines of all these endless rows of endless volumes, I want to look up. I want my praise to rise, and keep rising ... till it finds its way home.

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth
To touch Your heart
And glorify Your name

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name
Let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name

Jesus in Your name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
And glorify Your name

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name
Let the nations sign it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name

Jesus, Jesus
Your name ... Jesus
Give me strength for another day
There's healing in Your name
Salvation in Your name
Oh, there's comfort in Your name
There is joy in Your name
Tender mercies in Your name
There's no other name
No other name
Jesus