Matt Redman’s 10,000 Reasons is a very popular song both in our church and in the wider Christian community. Its appeal to a wide range of people is one of the reasons I like this song so much. Our church community is inclusive of many different ways of understanding God, so when we find a song that has broad appeal both musically and theologically, it’s a huge gift to our church.
The chorus, which is inspired by Psalm 103, is one of the things that makes this song so engaging. The words are voiced individually and encourage us to come to God from a deep emotional place, which doesn’t always come naturally in mainline Protestant churches. I find it so encouraging that our community is becoming more open to engaging God in this way.
But this song isn’t about a quick (and forgettable) emotional response. The first verse speaks of consistency, of the idea that we rise each day to sing God's song in the world. What a beautiful metaphor for the Christian life!
God calls us into the fullness of life, to a playful and dynamic life alongside the creator of the universe that includes the structure of consistent prayer in order to foster bonds of love with both creator and creation. The last line in the first verse is a prayer for this life-giving faithfulness: "whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes." Remembering that faithfulness to the God of love and joy is the definition of a successful day strikes me as being a particularly helpful frame for Christians living in a world where success is so often measured differently.
Written by: Scott Reynolds