Faith Audio Arsenal | Faith List |Jesus, Give Me a New Story

Jesus asked a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years a question that seems almost absurd:“Do you want to be healed?” — John 5:6Of course he does.Right?But maybe Jesus’ question reaches deeper than we first realize.Because healing changes things.Being made new means something old doesn’t get to remain the same.And sometimes we’re quite willing to ask Jesus to remove the pain while being considerably less enthusiastic about surrendering the parts of our old story we’ve learned to live with.That’s where this week’s Faith Audio Arsenal song began.Jesus, Give Me a New Story isn’t a victory song sung from the other side of transformation.It’s a prayer from somewhere in the middle.I believe. Help my unbelief.I surrender. Help me surrender.If my heart still wants the old life, Lord, teach my heart to want You better.And then something happens.The focus turns outward.Because Jesus doesn’t make us new merely so we can stand around admiring the renovations.There are people around us carrying questions.Somebody needs a seed planted.Something another believer planted may need watering.Someone may be wrestling with Jesus and isn’t ready to say, “I believe.”Maybe they’re only ready to whisper:“I think I want a new story.”That’s enough reason to enter the field.We don’t have to manufacture the harvest.Paul planted.Apollos watered.God gave the growth.So this week’s assignment is simple:Tell the truth.Trust the growth.Work the field.Bring the Word.And when Jesus says get up?Pick up your mat.We’ve got field work to do.Turn it up.This one’s a prayer with boots on.Lyrics:Jesus, Give Me a New Story[Verse 1]I’ve learned how to live with the things that I carryLearned every excuse, every reason to stayI ask You for healing, I ask You for freedomThen hold to the pieces You tell me to lay downYou ask me a questionI know what I should sayBut You know every cornerI try to hide away[Pre-Chorus]Do I want to be healed?Do I want to be new?Do I trust what You’re makingMore than what I’ve been through?[Chorus]Jesus, give me a new storyNot a better version of the oldTake the pages I’ve been holdingTake the things I won’t let goI don’t know where You will lead meI don’t know what comes from hereBut I know the One who’s callingAnd I trust You with my fearJesus, give me a new storyMake me new[Verse 2]I’ve carried my anger like I had a right toCalled my fear wisdom, called control being strongI’ve prayed, “Change the world, Lord,” while guarding my own heartWanting Your kingdom without changing my ownSo search me and show meWhat I still defendThe sins and the strongholdsI keep calling my friends[Pre-Chorus]I believe, help my unbeliefI surrender, help me surrenderIf my heart still wants the old lifeLord, teach my heart to want You better[Chorus]Jesus, give me a new storyNot a better version of the oldTake the pages I’ve been holdingTake the things I won’t let goI don’t know where You will lead meI don’t know what comes from hereBut I know the One who’s callingAnd I trust You with my fearJesus, give me a new storyMake me new[Bridge — building]A new heartA new creationA new lifeA new directionThe old has passedThe new has comeI don’t belongTo who I was[Drums build]So if You say rise—I’ll get upIf You say walk—I’ll moveIf You say follow—I’ll followJesus, I’m trusting You[Break — spoken]I planted.Another watered.But God gives the growth.So I’ll tell the truth.I’ll trust the growth.I’ll work the field.I’ll bring the Word.And I’ll leave God’s work—to God.[Verse 3]There’s someone beside me who’s carrying questionsNot ready for answers, but starting to seekI don’t have to save them, I don’t have to change themI only need courage to plant what You give meSo I’ll tell them of JesusI’ll listen and prayI’ll water what’s growingAnd trust You with what I can’t see[Pre-Chorus — variation]Maybe I’m plantingWhat another will reapMaybe I’m wateringA long-buried seedI don’t need the harvestTo prove I obeyedI’ll work in Your field, LordAnd trust You with what I can’t change[Final Chorus — full band / backing vocals]Jesus, give me a new storyNot a better version of the oldYou can have the pages I’ve been holdingYou can have what I won’t let goI don’t need to see where You’re leadingI just need to know You’re thereYou’re the One who makes things newSo I’m getting off this mat right hereJesus, give me a new storyJesus, make me new[Choir]MAKE ME NEWMAKE ME NEW[Lead]The old has passed away[Choir]MAKE ME NEW[Lead]Behold, the new has come[Choir]MAKE ME NEW[Outro — spoken over fading drums]Plant faithfully.Water patiently.Trust the growth.And when Jesus says get up...Pick up your mat.We’ve got field work to do. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scbailey.substack.com/subscribe