Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)
I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)
Recently, I watched the movie Ragamuffin, which tells the life story of Rich Mullins. You may remember him as a Christian Contemporary Music artist from the late 1980s and 1990s. With songs like “Sing Your Praise to the Lord” (made popular by Amy Grant), “Sometimes by Step,” and perhaps his most well-known song,“Awesome God,” Mullins was a remarkably gifted songwriter.
Behind the music, however, was a man who struggled deeply. He wrestled with a painful relationship with his father, a romantic relationship that ended in heartbreak, and a strong distaste for anything he felt was inauthentic. The film portrays Mullins’ deep faith alongside his ongoing inner conflict—his honesty about doubt, grace, and brokenness. It highlights his resistance to fame and money, his intentional choice to live simply and generously, and his desire to live authentically before God. According to the movie, Rich never fit neatly into the expectations of the world—or the polished image often promoted by the Christian music industry. Instead, he wanted to write songs that reflected real life.
His real life intersected with mine through his music shortly after I graduated from college. I, too, was recovering from a broken relationship, and God used that brokenness to begin realigning my heart toward Him—though, truthfully, it was only the beginning of a realignment He is still working on in me. Sometimes I think my faith journey resembles what Eugene Peterson called “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.” Other times, I imagine God sees it more like Billy’s wandering path in the Family Circus cartoons. (Thank goodness for God’s grace.)
I’ve said before that music is what initially pulled me into the church as a young adult. Without it, I likely would have walked away—attracted by the ways of the world and discouraged by stale preaching, superficial kindness, twisted hierarchies, and too few people who seemed to be genuinely living as Christ-followers. To be fair, I wasn’t exactly a shining example of Christlikeness either. But without music—of many forms—I’m not sure I would have spent the following decades in the church at all.
Watching Ragamuffin brought me back to a season when Rich Mullins’ music spoke deeply to my soul. His song “Hold Me Jesus” is one I still sing from time to time:
Hold me, Jesus; I’m shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory; won’t You be my Prince of Peace?*
At the time, I didn’t know much about Rich’s personal story—I only knew how his music met me where I was. Like him, I was searching for purpose and authenticity, struggling with relationships, brokenness, and doubt. His lyrics and melodies gave language to what I was feeling.
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach**
The Bible has a lot of messy people. Moses, Jacob, David, and Peter are joined by the messy lives of Rahab, Elijah, Samson, and Mary Magdalene. Yet out of their messy lives come great triumphs of freedom from slavery and sin, victory over enemies, and the proclamation of God’s Kingdom on earth. Even though I am growing in faith and moving from “glory to glory” there are parts of me that are still very messy. Perhaps you, too, can identify. Together, may we praise God – even in the messiness – and be always led by Him. Again, I say, thank you, God, for grace!!
O God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
O God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
And I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days**
AMEN.
*”Hold Me Jesus” by Richard Mullins © Capitol CMG Publishing
**”Sometimes by Step” by David Strasser and Richard W. Mullins © Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publ., Kid Brothers Of St. Frank, Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing