If you’ve been following my post series on MercyMe’s 2017 album, Lifer, then you already know its backstory and the message in the song, “Lifer,” which is the first track on the album.
In today’s post, I will be sharing the exhilarating message in track 2, “You Found Me,” and how it speaks to me.
With the exception of Lifer‘s two ballads—its debut, smash hit single, “Even If,” (track 5) and “Ghost” (track 10)—the remaining eight songs are invigorating, up-tempo songs that make you want to get up out of your chair and celebrate the finished work of Christ.
Rejuvenating songs that make you want to fully embrace your brand-new identity in Him.
Songs that you can’t help but move to.
There’s no way you’re sitting still if you’re within earshot of “You Found Me,” “Grace Got You,” “Best News Ever,” “Hello Beautiful,” “We Win,” “Happy Dance,” or “Heaven’s Here.”
Just try it.
I dare you.
I double-dog dare you.
In my last post, “Are You a Lifer in Christ?” I shared the short story behind the song, “Lifer,” and then the entire song.
So, I will follow suit with track 2, “You Found Me”:
This song is about the day that He found me, the day that everything changed, the band’s lead singer, Bart Millard, said with a bright smile.
Now, let’s enjoy the full track:
Both the fun beat and the lyrics are sure to get your heart rate up.
The message in this song is something to get excited about!
The song’s title is reminiscent of the the prodigal son account in Luke 15:11-32, in particular, verses 24 and 32, where the father of the prodigal son is speaking.
This son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found (verse 24).
This brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found (verse 32).
At first listen, one might think “You Found Me” is about the believer in Christ’s initial salvation experience when he or she first believed in (literally into) Jesus.
But I don’t think that is the central message in this song.
I think it is about Father God’s intense longing for every believer to understand the fullness of the gospel of grace in His Son, Jesus Christ.
About His unyielding desire to see those who belong to Him live the life of freedom Christ died for them to enjoy.
The opening line of the song comes from the apostle Paul’s first letter to the immature church in Corinth:
“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11).
In this verse, Paul is speaking of how our incomplete understanding of spiritual truth this side of heaven sometimes motivates us act in childish ways that are inconsistent with who we really and eternally are (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 13:9-10).
The lyrics in “You Found Me” use the imagery of the childhood game hide-and-seek to illustrate what believers typically do when they sin—they go into hiding because of shame.
But our loving and relentlessly pursuing God (who has been called the Hound of Heaven) will have none of that childishness.
He goes to great lengths to remind us that we have been freed indeed (John 8:36; Rom. 6:18, 22; 8:2).
We are pure, holy, and righteous in His Son (Song 6:9; 1 Cor. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:21).
We are completely forgiven for the sins of our lifetime (Eph. 1:7; 4:32; Col. 1:13–14; 2:13–14; Heb. 10:18).
And His 24/7/365 indwelling Spirit will never ever leave us or forsake us (John 10:28; Heb. 13:5).
In a sense, He finds us—gets our attention and reminds us—of the good news of the gospel of grace in His Son.
And then He sings a love song to us (my favorite part of this song), reminding us that He is ours and we are His (Song 2:16; 6:3; 7:10).
MercyMe’s song, “You Found Me,” is certain to be a crowd pleaser.
It is the one song on the album Millard said (in the story behind the song) he was most looking forward to playing in front of a live audience.
While I really enjoy this inspiring and upbeat track, I must admit that my favorite upbeat song on the album is “Grace Got You,” the song I review in my next post in this series.
(Here is a table of contents for every post in this series.)
- “Why I Think MercyMe’s Newest Album, Lifer, Is Their Best Ever” – Intro
- “Are You a Lifer in Christ?” – a review of track 1, “Lifer“
- “Come out, Come out, Wherever You Are!” – a review of track 2, “You Found Me“
- “Has Grace Got You?” – a review of track 3, “Grace Got You“
- “Have You Heard the Best News Ever?” – a review of track 4, “Best News Ever“
- “Because Life Ain’t Always Pretty” – a review of track 5, “Even If“
- “Bye-Bye Lies!” – a review of track 6, “Hello Beautiful“
- “Don’t Throw in the Towel” – a review of track 7, “We Win“
- “Why Every Christian Should Be Doing the Happy Dance” – a review of track 8, “Happy Dance“
- “Christian, Heaven Is Here & Now!” – a review of track 9, “Heaven’s Here“
- “This Ghost Is Way Friendlier Than Casper!” – a review of track 10, “Ghost“
Dear reader, do you like the song, “You Found Me”?
How does it speak to you?
If you enjoyed this post, then I think you would enjoy both of my books where I share the undiluted, unpolluted love and grace of God.
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