In case you haven't heard of him, Jonathan McReynolds is a creative singer and songwriter who seems to combine black Gospel, pop and even some folk. I (James) had the privilege of seeing him speak recently at a conference in Chicago, and he is a very passionate and talented man.
I first heard of him through his song "Cycles." It's an honest song about perseverance and formation. Sharon Irving led the song for a post-Easter service at Willow Creek Community Church. Lyrics are below:
Didn't I conquer this last year? Tell me what I missed 'cause I fear That it's coming back up again Must be something I ate Some song, some show, some hate
The devil wants to extend the game, free throws And when it ends he wants to make the sequel 'Cause if he has another chance He feels like he can take My joy, my peace, my faith
See the devil, he learns from your mistakes Even if you don't That's how he keeps you in cycles, cycles . . . But I'm not going in cycles, cycles . . .
This will end like I want it to, I win The enemy will have to lose again See, I'm a different fighter now And I have God to thank 'Cause His joy is my strength
See the devil will learn it's a mistake When I am sure That I'm not going in cycles I'm not going in cycles I'm gonna break these cycles I'm not going in cycles . . .
Ooh, so Lord, help me Be free from all of my past sins See, Your love is enough To make me new
And help me in these cycles, cycles Help me in these cycles, ooh Lord, cycles I need You to help me in these cycles I rebuke him in the name of Jesus, oh Cycles, cycles . . .
See I'm not going in cycles I refuse it, cycles . . . Oh, refuse it, cycles Oh, woe, depression, cycles Oh, all I'm saying, cycles Oh, I'm not going in cycles . . .
See, there is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus See, there is power in the name of Jesus To break every cycle, to break every cycle
See, there is power in the name of Jesus See, there is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus To break every cycle, to break all these cycles . . .
Generation on cycles, financial cycles Painful cycles, oh, cycles