Marcus Redding Knows His Lyrics

Last week Mr. Johnson told Justin and Marcus they needed to take a load of cattle to Waco on Thursday. Just the opportunity Marcus was looking for. They had worked together on the ranch for months and they were friends. Some unspoken connection because of Marcus’s past. He knew how to talk to Justin. Now he needed an open door.

On the drive to Waco they had plenty of time to talk. When Marcus talked about his past, Justin opened up. His dad died when he was ten. Sudden heart attack. And he was close to his dad. “He cooked pancakes for us every Saturday morning. It’s been eight years now but every time I smell pancakes I get angry.” Marcus understood in a way. He told Justin how every time he heard the squeal of tires it paralyzed him with fear and regret. With that tragedy in his past Marcus wasn’t surprised at the kind of music Justin liked.

Last weekend Justin went to a concert and he came to work wearing a shirt he picked up there. It had the name of one of his favorite groups. That gave Marcus an idea. He got online and listened to some of their songs and read the lyrics. Then he scrolled through the praise songs on his iPod and picked out one of his favorites. He printed the lyrics of both songs on one sheet of paper and tucked it into the front of his Bible.

After they delivered the cattle and headed back to the ranch Marcus told Justin to get the sheet of paper out of the Bible that was on the seat between them. “There’s a song you listen to—the same stuff I used to listen to—and then there’s a song I listen to now. Tell me what you think.”

I’m growing so disturbed/Nothing makes sense to me anymore/I’m learning to resist/Becoming more than you ever were/Can’t explain what’s come over me/Can’t explain why it’s so hard for me/So hard to see your side/ Projecting all my anger/I can’t seem to get this through to you/The walls are closing in/I dare you to walk in my shoes

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken/I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well/Your spirit is within me/Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?/That you, my king would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true/It’s my joy to honor you

Justin read for a while. Then, suddenly, violently, he crumpled up the paper and threw it out the window. He didn’t say anything, just sat stoic, looking out the window. Marcus didn’t flinch. He had been there. “Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Can I tell you about Jesus?”

Justin snapped, “Sure, go ahead, whatever.” It was a long drive back. Plenty of time. Marcus was driving so he had Justin read the scriptures. Marcus had them all marked in his Bible. Justin didn’t read out loud, but he would read each scripture silently then say, annoyed-sounding, “Okay, I read it.” Marcus took him through why he needed to be saved and how to be saved. He worked in his own story with the scriptures. He pulled up his sleeve and showed him the tattoo of the halcyon. He talked a lot about Jesus giving him rest.

They were getting close to home. Marcus finished. He had one last question, “What decision do you need to make?” Justin didn’t say anything. As soon as they pulled into the ranch, even before Marcus stopped the truck, Justin jumped out and ran to his ‘93 Mustang. He spun out in the driveway, kicking up gravel, and raced down the driveway.

Marcus wasn’t surprised. He was hopeful.

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.