Musical Monday: A Tribute

Everyone has at least one song that signifies a moment in their life.  When you hear that song, it is like your mind is transported back to that moment.  My song choice today transports me back to my cousin Zach's funeral, 12 years ago this month.  There is not a time that I hear this song that I don't go back to that church overflowing with all who love him, where we sang this song, his favorite hymn.  Zach is the son of my dad's brother, my Uncle Ron.  My brother Josh is the oldest cousin, with Zach being the next oldest, then me, out of 13 cousins.  He was a video game whiz, excellent swimmer, Bears super fan, smarter than all of us, competitive, had a contagious smile/laugh, and overall, amazing man. I am blessed to call him family.  This post and song choice is in memory of him.
We were all together having our yearly summer family reunion in Decorah, Iowa.  All of us cousins would swim, tube down the river, hike around Dunning Springs, fill up on Mabe's Pizza, ice cream at Whippy Dip, and cinnamon rolls, run the track at Luther, and generally just drive the adults nuts I am sure. On the last day, we said our typical, "See you at Christmas" and gave out hugs.  Except, later that day, sitting in Cedar Rapids with Mickey getting ready to go to a wedding, we got the phone call that Zach had died in a car accident after leaving Decorah.  What???  I remember immediately thinking of my Aunt Jane and Uncle Ron.  They are strong Christians with a deep faith, but this is too much.  It doesn't make sense.  How could this happen?  Why???
I can honestly say too, that I still don't completely understand.  He was 21, about to graduate college, with a fantastic girlfriend, and a whole life yet to live.  But I trust in our God. I can't dwell on those thoughts.  And I am so thankful for his godly parents, who told him about our Savior, because we all know for sure where Zach is right now.  As much as we want him here with us, he is in a better place. I really believe that-He is in heaven with God! Where all our hearts long to be, because this place is not our home.  I rest in that, and I know his parents do too.  Thank you Uncle Ron and Aunt Jane for showing me what faith looks like even during the most difficult of times.  I know He is still your vision.

I heard this song earlier this year, and it is a new twist on the old classic hymn he loved.  I think he would have loved this version too.  The original hymn is called, "Be Thou My Vision".  This take is called "You are my Vision" by Rend Collective Experiment.

"Your are my Vision" by Rend Collective Experiment

Below are the lyrics as well-they are just so good.

"You are my Vision"

Oooohhh [repeats]

You are my vision, oh king of mine heart
Nothing else satisfies, only You, Lord
You are my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Your presence, my light

Oooohhh [x2]

You are my wisdom, You are my true word
I ever with You and You with me, Lord
You're my great Father and I'm Your true Son
You dwell inside me, together we're one

Oooohhh [x2]

You are my battle shield, sword for the fight
You are my dignity, You're my delight
You're my soul's shelter and You're my high tower
Come raise me heavenward, oh, power of my power

Oooohhh [x2]

I don't want riches or a man's empty praise
You're my inheritance, now and always
You and You only, the first in my heart
High king of heaven, my treasure You are

Oooohhh [x2]

High king of heaven, when victory's won
May I reach heaven's joy, oh, bright heaven's Son
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh, ruler of all

Oooohhh

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh, ruler of all

Oooohhh [x4]