Reciprocate

I used to write songs in high school. I wrote about life as I saw it, the heartbreak I'd never had, the loss I'd never witnessed and the love I'd never experienced. Even when I fell in love, my songs lacked substance and were subsequently scrapped by the end of the first verse. My instrument of choice for these fragments? N/A apparently because I can't play anything. I dabbled in piano/keyboard my senior year, but it never stuck because, like everything else, I lost interest. I still try my hand at songwriting sometimes, but never has it been such a cohesive effort as it was this morning.

I had finished reading part of James 1 about the escalation of from desire to death and was enjoying a hot bath. I was praying to God about everything that troubles my mind when suddenly I got the urge to write these beautiful words, "The God who won't leave or forsake, I must now reciprocate." Usually, when something strikes me, I must instantly rush to the putting a pen to paper, lest my words be forgotten. This time, however, the words remained fresh, and I hummed them in praise until I was finally able to record them in a notebook.

As writing went on, it became more apparent to me that, unlike prior efforts, God had provided these words. While other songs spoke of personal development or bitterness, this one was about the merciful nature of the God I serve. Also, I changed the bridge so that it now reads, "I cannot reciprocate." I felt this because to truly reciprocate feelings, one must symmetrically provide the same dedication as the subject they are reciprocating. As humans, we will never truly reciprocate God's love. It is many things we are not (e.g., divine). So here are the words I was given. I call this, "Reciprocate".

Brought from the things of earth so bright
Ensnared in Your marvelous light
Was blind and in the wilderness
Apprehended by your grace

You have done a work in me
I can only celebrate
The God who won't leave or forsake
I cannot reciprocate
I cannot reciprocate
I cannot reciprocate

The God who knew me, knows me now
And I know I know he
I searched so long for a greater love
Now I'm back here at your feet
I left His will, said, "Do your worst."
His mercy did not rest
He captured me from my own sins
Bestowed on me His best

Encumbered by the rope that I
Had tied around my hands
You set me free from misery
So hard to understand

Sought out my soul and took control
I cannot fathom half
Of what could bring you to love me
When on your love I spat

Still You have done a work in me
I can only celebrate
The God who won't leave or forsake
I cannot reciprocate
I cannot reciprocate
I cannot reciprocate

The God who knew me, knows me now
And I know I know he
I searched so long for a greater love
Now I'm back here at your feet
I left His will, said, "Do your worst."
His mercy did not rest
He captured me from my own sins
Bestowed on me His best

I built my temples to the world
They did not answer me
I fell before your altar and
You touched me instantly
Oh you touched me instantly

You have done a work in me
I can only celebrate
The God who won't leave or forsake
I cannot reciprocate
I cannot reciprocate
I cannot reciprocate

The God who knew me, knows me now
And I know I know he
I searched so long for a greater love
Now I'm back here at your feet
I left His will, said, "Do your worst."
His mercy did not rest
He captured me from my own sins
Bestowed on me His best

About the switch from second to third-person: The chorus is telling others about God's perfect love and everything else is basically praising Him for what He has done.

This was a blessing to me. God is good always.