We LOVE music at our house. If we’re not playing music. we’re teaching each other music, or learning new music, or harmonizing with TV commercials and household appliances! I’m serious – we might be just a tad bit nutty!
But especially in the car, we love music.
Every once in a while, I break out an older CD and reminisce about how the songs still speak so much to me. For the past week or so I’ve been listening to Casting Crown’s “Come to the Well”, and one of my favorite songs on that album is called “City on a Hill”. It’s gotten all up in my spirit, too, let me tell you. Hold on, I’m about to get deep, folks! (Well, as deep as I get, ha!)
Have you heard it?
Did you hear of the city on a hill?
Said one old man to the other
It once shined bright and it would be shining still
But they all started turning on each other
You see, the poets thought the dancers were shallow
And the soldiers thought the poets were weak
And the elders saw the young ones as foolish
And the rich man never heard the poor man speak
It got me thinking. How often do we, maybe without even realizing it, see someone else who seems to us to be shallow, weak or foolish? And how do we treat those people? Do we talk about them behind their backs? Do we discount others because they don’t have what we do? Or because they don’t act as we think they should act?
And one by one, they ran away
With their made up minds, to leave it all behind
And the light began to fade, in the city on a hill…
Each one thought that they knew better
That they were different by design
Instead of standing strong together
They let their differences divide
This is what amazes me about the human race: we have the potential to do SO much good – but we get caught up in ourselves and what WE thing is best. Instead of celebrating our differences, and the way we each have been gifted or created, we group everyone into their own little categories. And by all means, don’t mess with the categories.
But it was the rhythm of the dancers
That gave the poets life
It was the spirit of the poets
That gave the soldiers strength to fight
It was the fire of the young ones
It was the wisdom of the old
It was the story of the poor man
That needed to be told
I submit this: that it doesn’t matter your age, your size, your talent, your handicap, your race, your IQ, your gifting, your shortcomings or your strengths! It doesn’t matter whether your house is always clean or it’s always dirty! It doesn’t matter whether you’re done with all your shopping a week before a big event, or you have to travel back to the store multiple times!
Celebrate the differences. Celebrate the dancers, the poets, the soldiers, the young and old, the poor and the rich. Look for opportunities to be changed for good by those around you. Don’t you think life would be better for it?
Come home
And the Father’s calling still
Come home
To the city on the hill
Come home
If you’d like to hear the whole song, CLICK HERE!
I’ve never heard of them. but I am really into music, too, so I am going to head over to YouTube and see if I can find some of their stuff 🙂
They’ve got some great stuff that really makes you think, for sure!
Love Casting Crowns – our family loves music, too. I’m the only one that can’t sing, but that doesn’t stop me one little bit! 🙂
LOL Sing, girl! 🙂
I love music, but tend towards classic rock and blues. This is a great song, and I always celebrate diversity!
I’m a fan of classic rock and blues, too, Lynda! 🙂
This is the first time I encountered this – love music and the lyrics is good!
Glad you like, Aisha!
Very good post, and love listening to the song. I’m saving this to use as a sermon illustration some time when I preach on Matt 5:14-16. Thanks for sharing the song!
Fantastic!
I don’t have speakers so I can not listen to it-but the words definitely resonate with my soul. Without all the “differences” what a boring world this would be–
Exactly!
Casting Crowns are awesome! IDK if I had heard this one though. I love it!!
I’m glad I could introduce you to a new one!
The lyrics to that song were great. We are often so quick to judge others who are different than ourselves when it takes all kinds to make the world interesting. Thanks so much for sharing.
Exactly, Missy!
This post really spoke to me. Just last night I was thinking about how I struggle with how others are perceiving me- permissive or weak, etc. because of some of the changes I am making. Choosing peace and positivity, mindfulness in parenting, on and on. Thank you for this post and also for the link to the song- I needed to hear it! I’m musical and my son enjoys it too.
I like your words, that you’re CHOOSING peace and positivity! Good for you!
I love Casting Crowns! I don’t know as I’ve heard this specific song though. I’m going to listen to it right now!
I love all of your points. I need to look at others and show love to everyone. It doesn’t matter who they are. I need to remember we all are not the same, we were all created with a different personality, purpose and strengths. I might be able to teach someone else something, but they can also teach me things.
Exactly, Rebecca! I love the idea of us teaching each other things, because no one person has all the answers!
I also love the Casting Crows! I never heard this song though! I really like it!
I’m glad I could share a new one with ya, then!
That is really beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing! I really like your blog- there isn’t a post so far that I wouldn’t recommend to anyone! 🙂 God bless! BTW, I really like listening to Casting Crowns too.
Aw, thank you, Angel! You are so kind 🙂
I LOVE listening to music. Call me crazy, but I feel that emotions and my writing flows better with music. I’ve never heard Casting Crows until now. My genre of music varies depending on my mood. I can go from classical piano/strings, to rock/alternative, to pop. Thanks for sharing your song. 🙂
I don’t think you’re crazy at all – I totally agree! And I’m with ya – I like all kinds of music, just depending on what I’m in the mood for!
New to me, but as I love music, I’ll check them out. I love music that inspires and brings emotions out in people.
Me too!
Love those lyrics. What a great song that is.
Agreed!
This was beautiful and meaningful, well deep! Thank you! I did not know this song, well worth to think about this things!
Yeah, I get deep every once in a great while 🙂
I love music, but I never really got into this band. My Mom loves them though, so maybe I’ll pick up an album for her.
Well, they’re not for everyone! That’s the wonderful thing about music – there’s all different kinds!
Preach! Reminds me of that cross stitch Brittany did years ago: “Nothing else matters.”
Good quote!
I haven’t heard this song before. Interesting lyrics.
Thanks for your comment!
I’ve never heard of them. but I am really into music, too, so I am going to head over to see what i can find by them
Good luck, Becca!
I’ve never heard of them. They sound lovely! I’m more of a punk rock girl, but I’ll definitely pass this on. I have a few friends who really love this kind of music!
Ah, I like punk rock too LOL I like almost anything, really!
I love casting crowns!! I hear the very often on a local radio station called “His Radio” and they play christian music. I haven’t heard of this song, but I have heard of them. Thanks for sharing! I have always wanted to get one of their albums. 🙂
I have several of their projects; good stuff!
What a great song and a great application. I know many Casting Crowns songs but I don’t recognize this one. Such great lyrics. It reminds me of the verses in the Bible that talk about how all of the parts of the body serve different purposes and yet they are all important and need to work together for the body to function properly. Not one is more important than the other!
That’s exactly it, Amber!
I love Casting Crowns. They have some songs that really speak to me!
Isn’t that the truth!
I have never heard of them but love the wording of that song. I will have to see what else they have out.
They’ve got some good stuff 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
Casting Crowns and Mercy Me are my favorite Christian bands
Oh yes, Mercy Me is another great one!
Never heard of this band, but think the lyrics do have a great message. Celebrating our differences can be tough, but really worth the effort to see things from a new perspective!
Exactly, Ana!
I have never heard of them, but I do like the lyrics. I am a huge fan of music, and any song that can make people think about the good we can do for others is A OK in my book!
Agreed, Theresa!
Casting Crowns has some amazingly beautiful songs. And the best part is how meaningful the lyrics are. They always move me and bring me closer to God.
They sure do, Joanna!
“Celebrate the differences.” I love that and we would be such a better society if we would take a few minutes and celebrate our differences. Great post and food for thought.
I agree, Pam, I think society as a whole would benefit from this!
I love this!! Definitely celebrate the differences we all share.
Absolutely, Maria!
I have not heard this before so thank you for sharing,makes you think 🙂
Those thinking songs are my favorite kind 🙂
City on the Hill, I believe there is such a place, depending on how you perceive things. Lovely composition.
That is very true!
Very well put together post. I hope that we are all capable of being good and wish we put that forward more.
Me too!
My husband loves Casting Crowns so much. He listens to them all the time
They’re one of my faves 🙂
I’ve never heard of them before but the words are outstanding and I love the way you did the post. I’m going to have to listen to the song now.
Hope you enjoyed it!
I’ve never head of this group, but love the lyrics. will be hitting play shortly and probably looking on youtube for more 🙂 Diversity should be celebrated more. We need to only look in the mirror, we are all imperfect with baggage and history, sometimes we need to be reminded that while others may be different we all have the ability to contribute to the greater good.
Yes! Beautiful thoughts, Kim!
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