A Journal of 10,000 Reasons

Thank you Matt Redman for your amazing song. “10,000 Reasons.” Ever since its release, God has used this song to strengthen and bless me. I love the lyrics. It is who I want to be. It is the call to know that everyday, I can find reasons to bless His Holy name. It is the anthem of my life. Its words well up in me and I have confidence and determination to remain thankful in every situation!

The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes

So here we are, sheltered in our homes, facing a pandemic that has claimed the lives of people I don’t know and some I do know are fighting for their lives. Our way of life has been altered, we are separated, our daily provision system is being challenged, and the days seem to be stretching so far that it feels like this will never end. It’s easy to become focused on the negative and lose the initiative to bless the Lord, yet I feel God calling me specifically to this very thing.

You're rich in love
And You're slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find

I am answering the call of God. I have felt for the last several days (or weeks, who knows anymore!) to begin a journal of 10,000 reasons. As a creative, it is easy for me to feel inspired to create something only to realize later that it was a rabbit trail that really led me off track. It’s not that I didn’t learn things along the way, but the end result was forced and it shows. So, I have been giving this 10,000 Reasons journal some time to marinate. As I spend time in my studio making journals (some to give away and some to sell), I am asking God to direct me. On more than one occasion, God has used other people to confirm what I am feeling, and I know. Now is the time. At first glance, this may seem like something that won’t take too much effort, so of course I should start this project, but on closer examination, it is quite an investment. 10,000 reasons is a lot. If I only wrote one a day, it would take over 27 years! This is not something I am taking lightly. It is going to take time. It is going to mean I be intentional. I will journal it by hand, but record it on a computer in an effort to not repeat myself. Whether or not you agree with Gladwell’s theory of greatness being attributed to the number 10,000, I think we can all agree that 10,000 is a number that requires investment, thoughtful intention, and time. I feel God challenging me to dive into the deep. There are places this will take me that will bring revelation. I am hungry for that.

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name

Let God speak to you individually. Let God call you to something or somewhere you’ve never gone before. Take time to let His call, His voice, His words marinate in your spirit. What are you living for? Don’t fall into the trap of living for the day this shelter in place ends. Let this unprecedented time lead you into unprecedented communion with the Lord. He is, after all, who and what we are actually living for.

And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
Forevermore

Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name
Jesus I will worship Your Holy name
Worship Your Holy name