Stop the World

I had the opportunity to meet Matthew West this summer during my internship. Actually, it wasn't a meeting, so much as it was a brief "hello." When you sit between the creative department and artist development department, artists pass by almost every week. I loved my little "officle," as the interns called it. Sitting in that seat every day gave me the opportunity to listen to many stories of how God redeemed, saved, and moved in people's lives to create music that would later allow God to work in others (I've always admired how God does that... ).

Speaking of stories... this guy has a good one. If you haven't ever heard of Matthew West, you should check out his website. Matthew had a hit single with "More" in early 2005. He had a lot of concerts booked, plans made, and studio time in the works to begin compiling more songs. In an instant, it all changed... doctors discovered a polyp on his vocal chords. His voice was gone, and the only way to correct it was silence and surgery.

What I think is amazing about his story is that it echoes the lives of so many of us. There are times that we are so busy, going all the time, that the only way that God can get ahold of us is to render us silent. Completely quiet before Him to see what He has to say. I know that sometimes I doubt that God would ever do that in my life. Like "C'mon... you would never have the audacity to do that!" But, He is God and He does what He pleases. In Matthew's case, it let him later have "Something to Say"

All surgery and recovery went well, and Matthew and his family grew a great deal in the process. His album released last fall, and I just picked it up last week. Automatically, this song hit my heart. "Stop the World" is exactly where I am right now, and it really challenges me to seek God first in all of the decisions that will happen in the next 3 months. Really, my heart is crying out to just stop all the craziness surrounding my life and make me silent before Him. In so many ways, He is doing that through all of the decisions over which I have no control.

Enjoy.. and be silent at some point today before Him.

Stop the World

The tv is talking, the telephone's ringing
The lights are all on and the radio's screaming
A million distractions are stealing my heart from You

I'm tired and empty, this life is relentless
It weakens my knees and it breaks my defenses
It's wearing me down and I'm desperate to hear from You

Stop the world, I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me

I need to be still before I need to move
And I need to be humble with nothing to prove
And I need Your Word to show me the truth
I need time.... precious time..

Stop the world, I'm ready to listen
Show me a sign, just give me a vision of Heaven
That I can hold onto
Stop the world, I need some time with You

Before I can find my voice
I need to hear Your voice
Above all the senseless noise

So just stop the world, I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You, I need to hear You Lord

Stop the world, I'm ready to listen
Show me a sign, just give me a vision of Heaven
That I can hold onto
Stop the world, I need some time with You