Depending on which framework you study, people of faith have seven to nine different spiritual pathways. If you’re new to this concept, think of The 5 Love Languages—but with the sense of connection being vertical instead of horizontal. I take the test every few years, and my top two pathways are always nature and music. That’s why my spiritual adventure community meets most of the year outdoors. That’s why most of my prayers happen where there is no roof. And that’s why I’ve cried alone on dusty woodland trails while trying to sing along with spiritual songs.
As I’ve rebuilt my faith after growing up in the trauma-riddled home of an abusive pastor from one of America’s biggest cults, I’ve had to reconsider a lot of who I thought God was and is. I’ve done a lot of that reconstruction out in nature, often while wearing headphones. Different songs have been on repeat at different times over the past 20 years. I can’t list them all, but here are ten that whispered truth into my soul. I struggled to rank them. So, they appear in alphabetical order.
“Clear the Stage” by Jimmy Needham
View on YouTube.
Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “Anything I put before my God is an idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. And anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol. And anything that I give all my love is an idol.”
This song is quoted in my new book, Hurt and Healed by the Church.
“Extravagant” by Steffany Gretzinger and Amanda Cook
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Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “It’s unthinkable. Only heaven knows just how far You’d go to say You love us.”
“Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin
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Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like, but I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night. And You tell me that You’re pleased and that I’m never alone. You’re a good, good Father. It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are. And I’m loved by You.” 
“I Am Loved” by Maverick City Music
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Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “‘Cause there is nothing better than to be where you are, near to your heart—all that I want. There is nothing better. My strength in my song, here in your arms.”
“My Life is Proof” by Stephen McWhirter
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Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “There were things I couldn’t quit, damage I just couldn’t fix. I couldn’t do it on my own, but Jesus did.”
“My Redeemer is Faithful and True” by Steven Curtis Chapman
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Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “As I look back on the road I’ve traveled, I see so many times He carried me through. and if there’s one thing that I’ve learned in my life, my Redeemer is faithful and true.”
“Preference” by Rachel Morley
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Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “What if it doesn’t look like what I thought it would? What if you come in ways I didn’t know you could? Offend my mind. Reveal my heart. I won’t worship my preference anymore.”
“Real Thing” by Maverick City Music
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Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “You’ve been here all this time. Tell me where have I been looking ’cause You weren’t hard to find. Mercy opened my eyes. Now I’m losing my religion to be loved like a child.”
This line is quoted in my new book, Hurt and Healed by the Church.
“Ring The Bells” by Johnnyswim & Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
View on YouTube.
Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “Give back the pieces of my Jesus. Take your counterfeit to hell.”
This line is quoted in my new book, Hurt and Healed by the Church.
“Roots Before Branches” by RoomForTwo
View on YouTube.
Read the lyrics here.
My favorite part of the lyrics: “Why do I reach for the stars when I don’t have wings to carry me that far? I gotta have roots before branches to know who I am before I know who I wanna be.”
