Stories & Songs | MercyMe - This Life

I'm not sure if it was writer's block, or not being able to decide which song to write about, or just plain ol' procrastination, but so sorry for the absence of posts around here! (Actually, just face it, Rebekah, it was procrastination. Or maybe a little bit of writer's block, and a little bit of not deciding which song to write about...mixed in with a bunch of procrastination.)

Now that we've cleared that up.... (haha)

There's a funny story behind how I found out about this song!

About a year and a half ago, we were at a friend's Eagle Scout Court of Honor, and his mom had put together a slideshow of pictures from all the years he'd been in Scouting. It was a pretty long slideshow, and apparently he'd told her he wanted the background music to be "This Life" by MercyMe. The problem was, the slideshow was a lot longer than the song. As in two and a half times longer. So when the song started playing again, we all laughed, but we didn't mind because it's a great song!

And then the song started over again. Needless to say, the audience had it down pretty well by the end of the slideshow. :) But I immediately decided I really, really liked it! So I wanted to share it with you.

One of the best-known and loved bands in the Christian music industry has, for a long time, been a group from Texas known as MercyMe. This talented group of guys has released hit after hit on Christian radio and I still remember this one Sunday at church years ago when somebody sang I Can Only Imagine.

The song "This Life" is the upbeat opening track on MercyMe's 2010 record, The Generous Mr. Lovewell. The lyrics are what really make the song great - take a few minutes to listen and you'll know what I mean! "We were meant to shine, not just survive!"

This is not my home

(This is not my space)

This is not my style

(This is not my place)

Can't get comfortable

(Can't get settled in)

I simply don't belong

(Can't get used to this)

But I'm here right now

(I can hear you say)

Make the most of Me

(This wont go to waste)

If I'm out of my mind

(Yeah it's all for Christ)

If I'm making sense

(Then get it right)

Every moment is a chance

To let your light break through

This life (oh oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

This life (oh oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

I don't have to stall

(I don't have to wait)

Don't have to bide my time

('Til I make my escape)

'Cause heavens in my heart

(I won't settle for less)

I will lift your name

(By the life I live)

Every moment is a chance

To let your light break through

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

It's in my heart

It's in my soul

I'll live everyday

Just to make you known

'Cause this life

This life was meant to

Meant to shine

Hold your heads up high

This is our moment to rise

We were meant to shine

Not just survive

Hold your heads up high

This is our moment to rise

We were meant to shine

Not just survive

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

It's in my heart

It's in my soul

I'll live everyday

Just to make you known

'Cause this life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to

Meant to shine

It's in my heart

It's in my soul

I'll live everyday

Just to make you known

'Cause this life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to

Meant to shine

Oh oh oh

We were meant to shine!

For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah