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Lack by Jordan Merritt

presenting Jordan merritt

read the story and listen to the song, “lack”

 
 
 

A few words from Jordan

 

Have you ever felt like you don’t have the things that you need to accomplish the goal that you want to achieve? Have you ever looked at the mountain in front of you and wondered how on earth you are going to climb it? That’s what LACK is about. 

I was in a writers retreat and was tasked, along with Buck Mcknight, to write a song about creativity, not poverty. But, the two go hand in hand. It may have just been instinct at the moment, but it was so deeply embedded in my DNA that when “creativity” was mentioned as the target, my brain went immediately to not having what I needed. 

We wrote this song from the standpoint of a little boy named, you guessed it, “Lack.”

We started with, “What if the little boy’s name is Lack and he doesn’t have the tools to do something?” The rest honestly just wrote itself!

It was such a fun song to write and such a fun moment to share it that I honestly didn’t really dig much deeper into what this song meant to me until months later. 

The first line of the song goes as follows:

“Lack went out to build a rocket ship just like he’d seen, but all he had was bottle caps and cans and hopes and dreams.”

I was listening to this song one day, just analyzing the production of it, and it hit me:

I am LACK. 

I’ve said for years, “lack of resources is the birth place for creativity”. I honestly don’t know how this statement, this song, and the reality that I’ve created from for years didn’t connect in my brain, but in this moment when it all came together, I just cried. 

Now, I know I’m not the only person who has experienced this feeling. There are many people who are much more creative than me. They are day in and day out coming up with new ways to accomplish new goals with new problems in their way. 

So this song isn’t “MY” song… it’s OURS. 

It’s a song to the dreamers: the ones who dare to believe that there’s more “out there” than what they currently see.

It’s a song to the believers: the ones who wake up every day and put one foot in front of the other.

It’s a song to the builders: the ones who put their hands to work, no matter what those around them say as the do it. 

It’s a song to the creators: the ones who get ridiculed and mocked for not “fitting in,” all the while making something out of nothing for ALL to enjoy.

It’s a song to the finishers: the ones who can’t sleep until they’ve seen with their own eyes what they’ve seen in their dreams for so long. 

Finally, this song is for you. It’s for your children and their children.

Here’s my prayer for you:

“May God would continue to give you the dreams, vision, courage, boldness, craziness, and perseverance to be like Him and CREATE. 

The world is waiting for your God-given idea to come through your God-given ability. 

You probably won’t have what you need… but neither did Lack.”

 

lack lyrics

Verse 1
 Lack went out to build a rocket ship just like he’d seen
But all he had was bottle caps and
Cans and hopes and dreams
He had a big idea, and it could've stopped here
Those dreams lift off like NASA
Rockets blasting to the sky
But Houston we’ve got problems 'cause
Lack opened up his eyes
He didn't have the tools
But no, Lack's not a fool

Chorus
What he don't have won’t hold him back
Though it might be what he needs
'Cause he does have astronomical creativity
And the more he dreams the more he sees
He’s not yet qualified
But what I know about
Lack is that he’ll get there
You just gotta give him time

Verse 2
Lack packed up his bags and
Took his dreams to Californ
He studied astrophysics
And how galaxies are formed
You might say that he’d arrived
But he wasn't satisfied
'Cause he had Armstrong dreams of playing
Putt-putt on the moon
But his bachelor pad was launching bad
And his rent was overdue
He longed for all the thrills
But he could barely pay his bills

Chorus
What he don't have won’t hold him back
Though it might be what he needs
'Cause he does have astronomical creativity
And the more he dreams the more he sees
He’s not yet qualified
But what I know about
Lack is that he’ll get there
You just gotta give him time
You just gotta give him time!

Verse 3
Lack looks out the window
As he’s racing past the sun
But his heart is grounded wondering
How he’ll raise the other one
After all that he had earned
He still had much to learn
But the limit of his name
Was the reason he was sure

Chorus
What he don't have won’t hold him back
Though it might be what he needs
'Cause he does have astronomical creativity
And the more he dreams the more he sees
He’s not yet qualified
But what I know about Lack is that he’ll get there
Oh, what I know about Lack is that he’ll get there
You just gotta give him time
You just gotta give him time
Oo-oo-oo-oo

jordan merritt Bio

Jordan Merritt is a talented Christian songwriter and musician who has made a significant impact on the contemporary Christian music scene.

With a passion for creating music that inspires and uplifts listeners, Jordan has written a number of powerful worship songs that have become beloved favorites of Christians around the world.

Among Jordan's most notable works are "You Hold It All," a popular worship song recorded by the Newsboys; "People of the Cross," moving anthem performed by Selah; and "Yet I Want More," a powerful ballad featured on Vol. 3 of The Emerging Sound project.

Jordan's music is characterized by its heartfelt lyrics, soaring melodies, and powerful vocals, which combine to create an unforgettable listening experience. Whether he is writing for himself or collaborating with other artists, Jordan's dedication to his craft and his faith shine through in every song he creates.

You might also be able to find him singing in the band that he is a part of called "The Band Table".

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