"Lookin'"

I was lookin’ for green pastures,

But all I saw was dirt,

I was lookin’ for my promised land,

But all I felt was hurt.

I was hoping for fresh water,

I drank from stagnant pools,

I looked for help with people,

They said I broke the rules.

I’ve been medicated,

On things I shouldn’t have,

And often dedicated,

To things I shouldn’t grab.

And if you want to judge me,

Why not, just be my guest,

You wouldn’t be much different,

From so many of the rest.

You see I have a history,

That fills me with regret,

And I must remind myself,

My life ain’t over yet.

And when I look back on it,

There’s really no excuse,

To have been so rebellious,

A carefree fool and loose.

But I will tell you something,

That you might not really know,

And that is God loves sinners,

No doubt He came to show,

That He came here to doctor,

The ones who were so sick,

And, brother, let me tell you,

He can diagnose you quick,

And people won’t believe you,

When you tell ‘em you got saved,

It’s hard for them to know it,

On this muddy road, unpaved.

Out there lost and running,

With the windows all rolled down,

Raising hell and chasin’ trouble,

A long, long way from town.

And if we ever got there,

It was katey, bar the door,

‘Cause we’d make a party round,

And then come back for more.

But that was then and this is now,

I’ve left those ways behind,

And all because the Savior,

Gave grace that I could find.

And thank the Lord I found it,

Or rather, it found me,

Forgave and started healing,

From the crazy set me free.

Content and in my right mind,

With Jesus in control,

Is far better than the way I was,

Now saved down in my soul.

If he can change a crazy cowboy,

Just think what he might do,

If you surrendered to Him,

Forgiveness He’ll give you.

So don’t wait another minute,

Just bow your head and pray,

It’s your heart that’s talking,

More than the words you say.

Just try to call on Jesus,

And ask Him to come in,

Tell Him you believe He died,

And that He was raised again.

Believe down in your heart it says,

Then confess it with your mouth,

Say Jesus is the Lord of you,

And cast the devil out.

And I can promise one thing,

You never will regret,

Giving up to Jesus,

It’s the best relief you’ll get.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life has gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

God is the only one who can put an end to your old life. That’s because even after we leave it behind it dogs us. Sometimes it’s the temptation to give up and go back. It was awful but at least predictable! Sometimes the regrets for what we did then still make us feel ashamed, and the devil is quick to remind us. Bottom line: God helps us put it behind us, learn what we need to from it, and move on. We are created in Christ to live a whole new life. This is what God is leading us into, and we are called to cooperate by surrendering to His leadership. Any leftovers we should give to Jesus. He knows exactly what to do with them.

Lord, help us leave the old life behind and live a new life with You in charge, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jack Sorenson, jacksorensonfineart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Jack, and God bless you.