Hard To Get - by Rich Mullins

September 19th is a happy day in my home as it is Ann's birthday. Sadly, however on that day in 1997 we lost one of the greatest Christian songwriters and singers of our time - Rich Mullins. My wife and I became born again Christians that year on July 27. 

For my wife it was more of a re-commitment, but for myself it was the actual first time ever that I made a commitment in my heart to give myself to Christ. Rich Mullins' music played a special role in influencing my early Christian walk as we were listening to a lot of contemporary Christian music at the time.

 I remember his song, "Hard to Get" seemed so honest and from the heart when I first heard it. This song let me know that it is okay to be honest about our doubts. I appreciated the honesty of Rich Mullins for writing it as well. After all, he was a Christian celebrity of sorts, so he had a lot on the line as he exposed his heart. 

Anyways, I've committed myself to learning this song for I know I and most other believers have felt this way before. Here's the lyrics to it:

Hard To Get -  by Rich Mullins

You who live in heaven

Hear the prayers of those of us who live on earth

Who are afraid of being left by those we love

And who get hardened by the hurt

Do you remember when You lived down here where we all scrape

To find the faith to ask for daily bread

Did You forget about us after You had flown away

Well I memorized every word You said

Still I'm so scared, I'm holding my breath

While You're up there just playing hard to get

You who live in radiance

Hear the prayers of those of us who live in skin

We have a love that's not as patient as Yours was

Still we do love now and then

Did You ever know loneliness

Did You ever know need

Do You remember just how long a night can get?

When You were barely holding on

And Your friends fall asleep

And don't see the blood that's running in Your sweat

Will those who mourn be left uncomforted

While You're up there just playing hard to get?

And I know you bore our sorrows

And I know you feel our pain
And I know it would not hurt any less

Even if it could be explained

And I know that I am only lashing out

At the One who loves me most

And after I figured this, somehow

All I really need to know

Is if You who live in eternity

Hear the prayers of those of us who live in time

We can't see what's ahead

And we can not get free of what we've left behind

I'm reeling from these voices that keep screaming in my ears

All the words of shame and doubt, blame and regret

I can't see how You're leading me unless You've led me here

Where I'm lost enough to let myself be led

And so You've been here all along I guess

It's just Your ways and You are just plain hard to get

Rich Mullins 1955 - 1997