Our lovely, rather simple song is listed at Hymnary.org as old enough to be public domain. Neither date nor composer are known. They suggest an old story from 1750’s Virginia may have inspired the song. The story goes that a certain man said to a Presbyterian preacher, “I come to you, sir, that you may tell me some good things concerning Jesus Christ and my duty to God, for I am resolved not to live any more as I have done … Sir, I want to be a Christian.” Think of the joy such a request would bring to Heaven. All the more because the man seeks not only to accept God’s gracious gift of salvation, but he wants to honor that new life by living differently – to start living in light of the good things of Christ and of man’s duty to God. This simple song carries a glorious request which is music to the Lord’s ears. Please give it a sing-along listen, then come back for a chat about people partnering with the Lord to bring impossible dreams to pass.

Impossible dreams

Near the top of the list of “impossible dreams” we might find “world peace”, “ending world hunger” and – for fun – let’s toss in “fixing stupid”. These have been discussed in every forum, both serious and humorous, ranging from the loftiest think tanks all the way down to car bumper stickers. (You may have seen someone’s bumper preach, “World peace begins with your turn signal.” Brilliant. Or – even more off point – “Visualize whirled peas.” Bumper wisdom about world hunger says: “The solution to world hunger is eating.” Comedians and handymen have weighed in on that “stupid” problem, pointing out “You can’t fix stupid … not even with duct tape.”)

We laugh at these problems because that is about all we know to do. And that is because all of these problems are too big for humans alone to fix.

Impossible dreams meet miraculous solutions

Such impossible dreams require God-sized solutions. The good news is that the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus taught about brought not only a King, but also brought “Kingdom ways” which make solutions for problems like these possible. True, some solutions are still coming, but let us understand that there is much, much Kingdom help available on Earth right now, today.

Jesus gave a summary of the plan when he taught them to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Notice that the place is Earth. But the time is not specified.

Years ago in the wilderness God told the children of Israel to go take the Promised Land. Both place and time were included in the promise. They decided to give God’s instructions a safety check, and sent twelve spies to scope out the job.
Ten spies reported,
“Great place, but no way we can beat the giants living there. NO GO!”
Two spies reported,
“Great place, and those giants will fall. God’s promises are good. LET’S GO!”

They could have taken the land THEN, as God said. But they didn’t. The Book says all but those two – Caleb and Joshua – failed to see the promise and died in the wilderness. The next generation stepped up to God’s promise and received the blessing.

The point is that the place – and God’s promise – did not change. The time – and which generation got to see it come to pass – were in the hands of the people. Let’s understand that lesson.

The children of Israel needed to step up to the fight. One generation refused to. Another took it on and got it done and God gave them victory after victory.

Today we are in a boat like theirs.

The Lord’s Kingdom, and the “Kingdom ways” became available long ago. When humans submit to the King and His ways, impossible dreams like world peace, ending world hunger and even “fixing stupid” become possible.

The call – and the gift of ability – to preach the gospel, to make disciples of all the nations, to be salt and light and to occupy were given to mankind two thousand years ago.

Yes, Jesus is returning. The Father knows when. But for many it is becoming clear that we were not created in Christ Jesus unto the “good works” of wishing he would fix everything while we wait for him to get us out of here before things get really bad.

For too long the enemy has sat in the places of world authority and used the power of those offices to do their master’s bidding – to steal, kill and destroy. But we live in days – right now – in which the lights are coming on and their evil ways are being exposed. Their days are numbered.

We have good reason to believe that today the called out of God are on the threshold of remarkable growth in numbers and influence. That news is firing up faith and action around the world.

How many more generations will pass before one will do what Caleb and Joshua did?

The only time anyone ever has is now. There is work to do now.

The question is, do we have the heart it takes to do it?

Building strong hearts

Fulfilling our commission as sons of God will take strong hearts. Let’s look at just a few points on how to build strong hearts for the Lord.

1. Know that our heart’s condition is our own responsibility.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”
(Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
(John 14:27)

2. Grow a strong heart for the Lord by spending time with Him – through prayer, through scriptures, through fellowship with others and through hearing those who speak on His behalf. (Apostles and prophets still operate today. Get to know some of them – listen.)

3. Employ spiritual manifestations found in 1 Corinthians 12 to increase strength, for help to serve bigger and to better discern what is going on around us – to recognize genuine works and workers. (Side benefit – working with the spirit brings more fruit of the spirit, including peace, which guards hearts.)

So much winning!

Remember it melts the Lord’s heart to hear – and delights the Lord to answer – the person who looks up to Him and says – or even sings – “Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.”

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

---

Download this song sheet

LYRICS – In My Heart (Lord I Want To Be A Christian)
1. Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.

2. Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.

3. Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.

4. Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.

Let’s stay in touch

Each time I post a new song and lesson here I send a brief, cheerful note to friends of this song site. The note gives a quick description of the song and lesson along with a link to the new song’s page. It is super-easy for you to get a note from me, too. Just click the green “Song of the Week” button below and you are almost there.

To sweeten the deal, you will also get instant access to the “Music Box” where I put all the free resources and downloads that go along with these song pages. Check it out now! Good stuff. (Side note — I still post announcements on social media, too, even though I have learned it is terribly unreliable at getting the message out and keeping us connected. Email gets that job done where social media fails. We do well to connect this way, and avoid getting throttled by social media.)

Song of the Week

Share your wisdom with other readers ...

Please feel free to add your thoughts to this conversation. Scroll to the bottom of the page and jot your note in the “comments” box just below the “Leave a reply” title. Easy!