Twenty-seven years ago today, Rich Mullins left this world; yet through his songs, he still speaks. Today I invite you to listen in as I share nine of Rich’s songs that have special meaning to me.
“Sing Your Praise to the Lord” — This classic piano-driven masterpiece is a modern-day psalm of sorts, filled with exhortations to sing God’s praise with passion and fervor. The most powerful praise is born out of our own testimony—it flows out of gratitude for what God has done in our lives.
Our praise is contagious. As we sing of God’s character and the mighty acts He has done, others catch a glimpse of His glory. One day “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14 ESV).
“Creed” — I love the bright and sparkling tone the hammered dulcimer gives this song, which sets the Apostles’ Creed to music and adds a resounding affirmation drawn from this line from G.K. Chesterton’s book Orthodoxy: “God and humanity made it; and it made me.” What we believe shapes who we become. This song declares what truth is (the foundation we must build our lives upon), where it comes from (God, the source of truth), and where it is taking us (forming us into the likeness of Christ).
“Hatching of a Heart” — A celestially sweet piano background accompanies this poetic portrayal of a rock-hard heart opening up to love. It’s packed with picturesque imagery, lined with biblical allusions, and sprinkled with a few lines sure to make you smile—all set to a poignant melody that reaches into the heart. Choosing to let love in to do its work can be painful, but this song shows that the blessings love brings are too beautiful not to receive.
“Calling Out Your Name” — Another bright and sparkling dulcimer-driven piece, “Calling Out Your Name” sings of the beauty and grandeur of some underappreciated aspects of creation, such as the vast, unfathomable expanse of the plains. What if the stillness of the plains isn’t an empty silence, but a yearning cry? Nature speaks to us of a great Creator. And our hearts are united with the rest of creation in longing for restoration.
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:19-21 ESV).
“Hard to Get” — The unpolished sound of this demo recording suits the raw nature of the song, a confession of doubt and a cry for understanding. You can clearly hear both hurt and hope, held together by desperate trust. Even though almost the entire song is made up of questions, the bridge says that finding answers to the questions isn’t what will ultimately satisfy; only the assurance of Jesus’ presence soothes the restless soul. When we wander, doubt can be a means used to lead us back to Him. When we’re tossed among the waves of a faith that ebbs and flows, we can find rest in the One who is near even when we can’t feel Him, a steady anchor for our shifting faith.
“All the Way to Kingdom Come” — Cheerful and exuberant, “All the Way to Kingdom Come” celebrates the limitlessness of Jesus’ love. When Jesus came to earth, He showed us the nature of a love unlike any other known. We thought we knew what love was, but the truth was “we didn’t know what love was ‘til He came.” His is a love with no boundaries or conditions—a love that reaches all the way to kingdom come.
“My Deliverer” — Heavy and yearning, this plea for deliverance contains a thread of hope sustained by certainty that a deliverer is coming. Even when the wait is long and circumstances seem to point to the opposite, we have to trust that God is watching and working. And He will deliver His children in His time.
“Elijah” — This was Rich’s favorite of all the songs he wrote, and it’s my favorite as well. “Elijah” is the ballad of a pilgrim longing for home, confessing what he once was, proclaiming how he’s been remade, and sharing the things he’s learned along the way. It’s a song of lifelong struggle and final victory. There’s been hurt, and there’s been healing, and now there is peace.
“Hold Me Jesus” — This song is special to me because it’s one of my dad’s favorites. Though originally written in the context of fighting temptation, this heartfelt prayer speaks to anyone in the throes of struggle. When faith is hard, where can we turn? There’s only one who can help us. In the middle of our struggle, Jesus meets us and holds us close. Sometimes choosing to surrender takes a fight, but giving up is the only way we will find victory. It’s the only way we’ll experience peace.
“Hold Me Jesus” is one of my all time favorites!! ❤️
Nice! Thank you for reading and commenting. 💖
“That Where I Am, There You” is a favorite of mine.
Oh yes, that one is very good too! Thanks for sharing.