I've been in a bit of a songwriting slump for a while. Like, most of my life, if I'm honest about it. But I'm leading the Praise & Worship team at my church these days, though, so at least I'm musically active.
The other day I was trying to decide which tunes the P&W team should lead at the following Sunday's worship service, when suddenly a whole different line of thought entered my head. My church is located in a really arts-focused area of Charlotte. The demographics here are a weird mix — like someone pouring a pitcher of young-hip-and-liberal-minded into a jug of impoverished-minority-down-and-out. Physically, socially, emotionally, educationally and financially, this is like mixing oil and water. But spiritually, they all — we all — need the same thing. That fact, as well as my own struggle with being a useful catalyst for spiritual change in others, resulted an hour or so later in the following:
The other day I was trying to decide which tunes the P&W team should lead at the following Sunday's worship service, when suddenly a whole different line of thought entered my head. My church is located in a really arts-focused area of Charlotte. The demographics here are a weird mix — like someone pouring a pitcher of young-hip-and-liberal-minded into a jug of impoverished-minority-down-and-out. Physically, socially, emotionally, educationally and financially, this is like mixing oil and water. But spiritually, they all — we all — need the same thing. That fact, as well as my own struggle with being a useful catalyst for spiritual change in others, resulted an hour or so later in the following:
Make Me a Witness
by: C. Michael Pilato
At a sidewalk cafe sits a modern-day, American man.
A triumph of evolution going nowhere as fast as he can.
Now there's surely a place, to lay out a case of my own.
Could it be right here between iced cappuccino and scones?
Who is my brother? Is he just the one like me?
Who is my neighbor? Are they just the ones I see?
And is the last chance they'll have to meet Jesus?
God grant them all a place in my heart
Next to Your Spirit, there in the deepest part.
Make me a witness, a model of Jesus,
And teach me to point this world to You.
There's a girl on the corner, a stone's throw away from our pews.
She knows of a Saviour, but He's of no practical use.
And like Mary of long ago, she's bound by an evil inside.
But oh, Magdalena, would your story bring hope to this child?
Who is my sister? Is she just the one like me?
Who is my neighbor? Are they just the ones I see?
And is the last chance they'll have to meet Jesus?
Somebody's wishing that they could have peace, love, and joy in their soul.
Somebody listen, 'cause I don't know when I'll be feeling so bold.
God grant them all a place in my heart
You know their value, you've made them a work of art.
Drive me to witness, to model my Jesus,
And teach me to point this world to You.
