Leeland is a worship duo with a heart for sharing the Lord through song. Members Leeland Mooring and Casey Moore are pastor's kids who sincerely desire to live for His Kingdom. This has yet to go without notice from the Contemporary Christian music world, as the band holds four GRAMMY nominations and eight GMA Dove Award nominations.
Most recently, Leeland dropped City of God, an 11-track record with notable features from worship artists TAYA and Rita Springer. I cherished the moments they created for listeners to praise the Lord, and I can't wait to share them with you.
"Heart & Flesh"
“Jesus, You are all I want Jesus, You are all my soul desires Jesus, You are all I need My heart and my flesh Cry out for You”
This melody is unique not only because it is home to the voice of Taya Guakrodger of Hillsong UNITED but because it reflects the most profound human desire. As the vocalists gave voice to the words, "My heart and my flesh/Cry out to You," the sound resonated within my heart.
It's easy to focus on my list of material wants when I try to figure out what I must buy this week. Perhaps it will be new clothes, a phone case, or some new overpriced merch at yet another concert (my closet asserts that their marketing techniques defeat me regularly). But easy is sometimes the same thing as simple. And although swiping my card might be easy, I understand simplicity only lives in the true longing for Jesus. An encounter with Him rocked my world and changed my perspective on what I want in life (hint: it's not another T-shirt). He continues to prove Himself to me and brings me to the same conclusion. I want Jesus. Do you?
"Midnight"
“You're not surprised
By any of my ways
And my heart is counting on it
While I wait”
This past Sunday's sermon was centered on the unchanging nature of God; immutable was the word the preacher used. He backed it up with three points about His consistent character and ended with this one: "God's plans never change." Instantly, I was taken aback, ready to argue because, of course, plans change. For example, I'm in Maryland and should be in New York, but traffic happens, and plans change.
That's different from what the preacher meant, however. It wasn't what he meant at all, as he explained. The paths we lay out for ourselves are bound not to be fulfilled because we are not their true designer. When faced with a decision, even though we have the freedom to make it, God already knows which way we will turn. He created the treasure map that is our walk in His grace.
Sure, it might only sometimes be pretty, and there will be some rough patches we don't foresee. But He does. May we rest in this hope that even, especially in seasons of waiting, we can draw comfort from Him? God knows the bigger picture. We can be confident that He will guide us through it in His perfect design because He never changes.
Selena Schulz is NRT’s youngest staff contributor. She loves God, music, reading, and writing.
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