FredMcKinnon.Com

The song “Open Up The Sky” (iTunes) by Jonathan Stockstill has been around a while now.  I remember one of my best friends and mentors telling me about this song … I dunno … maybe 1-2 years ago.  It was recorded on Deluge’s “Live From Bethany World Prayer Center” and released by Integrity Music.

I heard it a few times and was never blown away until I took part in leading it with Joel Klampert, Conner Byrd, Mike Mahoney, and some great friends at a mens’ retreat in New Hampshire earlier this year.  It was during that retreat that the song hooked me.

I finally decided to introduce this song to our congregation here at SSCC and we started practicing away.  Over and over, one lyric kept bothering me.  I couldn’t shake it.

“We don’t want blessings, we want You”.

I believed that I understood the “essence” of what the writer, Jonathan Stockstill, was saying, but still … did it need further explanation?  And was that truly the cry of MY heart?

The more I struggled with the lyric, the more I accepted that I couldn’t honestly sing it to God.  The truth is, I *DO* want His blessings.  I *NEED* his blessings.  And wanting His blessings doesn’t automatically mean that I don’t also want the Giver of the Blessings.

I decided to change the lyric so that we sing this:

“Open up the sky.  Fall down like rain.  More than Your blessings, we want You”.

What’s that?  The sound of the copyright police?  No worries.  I had an incredible email exchange with Jonathan and he was gracious enough to bless our new version with his approval.  Even better, he offered his explanation of the lyric, which I’ll share with you below.  His explanation is exactly what I’d anticipated and I totally ‘get’ what he is saying, and support it as well.

Here’s a portion of the exchange from Jonathan Stockstill:

… “What’s up man! I have no issue with you changing up the words.. I actually considered saying that line instead, but really wanted to say what I said. I was in a season that God was really pouring out blessing after blessing, but my walk with Him lacked intimacy. I felt like there were all these traces of God’s favor that manifested in blessings, but I didn’t feel close to him. I would have traded every blessing for a deeper walk with him. I wasn’t saying that I don’t appreciate the blessing or even want them for that matter.. I was simply saying “I am not pursuing you FOR blessings… It’s you that I want“. I can understand how that would be a tough line to sing, especially if you don’t know the heart behind it, but it is what I wanted to say, so I said it … “

———————

So there you have it … and a kazillion kudos to Jonathan Stockstill for being transparent and actually taking the time to reply.  I appreciate your humility and the spirit you share with us!

So what about you … do you know this song?  Ever struggled with that lyric?  Other lyrics?