Send Out Your Light: The Illuminating Power of Scripture and Song

by Sandra McCracken

In the middle of Psalm 43, God offers us a dynamic invitation: Send out your light.Prolific singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken believes we each have the opportunity to hear and answer this invitation.
 
This book is written in three parts: part one is the becoming, the creation, how God makes us and gives us an identity. Part two is the disorientation of loss, displacement, and the dark night of the soul. Part three is reorientation, how God brings us through the darkness and illuminates our path with Scripture, sending us out to take the light to others.
 
This has been the shape of Sandra McCracken’s life. Through it all, songs and Scripture have been there to light the way, helping her respond to God’s call. 
 
How will you respond to God’s call to send out your light?
 

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Spirituality, Biography, Music

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Maggie Mince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicate, eloquent, almost poetic. Felt like I was sitting on the couch with her listening to the Lord’s pursuit of her heart over the years through songs and stories and scriptures.

[Jennifer S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra McCracken is one of my top favorite singer/songwriters. Many of her modern hymns have served as the soundtrack to formative seasons in my life - "Thy Mercy, My God," "Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul," "We Will Feast in the House of Zion" to name a few.
Here she brings together reflections on the Psalms and her personal testimony of God's faithfulness.
My only real critique was that it felt clunky at times, and I wanted more content after a few key chapters. All in all, it was an encouraging read. I'm all the more grateful for her music and how her gifting has blessed God's people.

[Diana Florián · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 4.5
Such a poetic, profound and beautiful book! Just wanted to go and listen each of the songs as she quoted them. I loved the way she took us through different stages of life, through grief, sorrows, joy and celebration always bringing up the Bible verses that she hold onto and how hopeful songs came out of it.

[Hannah Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every chapter contained profound truths in the midst of creative, poetic storytelling. The impact of Scripture and song were masterfully communicated throughout the text. Perhaps the most poignant truth for me in my current season was, “If it’s not okay, it’s not the end,” for the light of God will have the final word. Excited to return to chapters in the book from time to time in the future.

[Matthew Gasperoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

So my first book of the year, and it truly was a special one. Sandra is my favorite songwriter and artist, and her rich, profound, and biblical words have resonated with me deeply. Reading her book felt like storytime around a fire as she opened her heart and life to us—and offered so much inspiration behind her songs, poems, and artistry (along with plenty of Scripture).

Probably not very important, but I found it ironic (and cool) that not only do we seem to share a similar personality and love for music, but she also loves to run (often to clear her head, like me) and spend time birdwatching as well!

Though I do say that since I see so much of my own personality reflected in her words, she was able to help me see light in the ways God has designed me, in areas where I tend to see only faults. I’m deeply thankful for that.

There were many highlights, meditations, and portions of Scripture to sit with, and I very much enjoyed this book. It was a gift from my daughter this Christmas, and I’m thrilled to have it in my library, as I’m sure I’ll revisit it from time to time.

[Tanner Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much of Sandra McCracken’s music helped me through the summer and into this fall, and this book served as a sweet guide in reflecting on the Lord’s light over and through me in circumstances when I didn’t have eyes to see it in the moment. Would definitely recommend, especially to my people with special affinity and appreciation for music. Seeing Sandra sing some of these songs live in a living room in Fort Collins is a favorite memory for me!

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful mediations and memoir; absolutely saturated with scripture and songs. Highly recommend.

[Sarah Fowler Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I barely have words for how edifying, challenging, beautiful, and wonderful this book is. I sipped very slowly and yet it was over too soon. Don't miss it.

[R M · Rating 5 out of 5]

There has not been a more instrumental book than this one while walking through deep grief.

[Rachel Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra McCracken is one of my favorite music artists, and I was excited to read this book. There were times the book felt disjointed - a random amalgamation of thoughts and ramblings. But as I’ve read a chapter a night over the last few weeks, I found that many chapters met me right where I was at on a particular day. This kind of “coincidence” can only be orchestrated by the Spirit of God, and this book was certainly a blessing in my life.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetically inspiring, spiritually enriching, creatively invigorating. I've admired and benefited from Sandra McCracken's writing for many many years, so it was personally fascinating to learn so much backstory to many of the songs I've come to cherish. This book reads more like a memoir, filled with reflections and exhortations and scripture. She drifts a little closer to mysticism at points than I think helpful, but overall, her grasp of Scripture, love for Christ, and gift of infusing the raw aspects of life with the firm foundation of Scripture come through loud and clear.

[Grace Kauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve listened to in a very long time. Teared up throughout. So many profound sentences of truth. It’s a 1x speed listen as there is much to ponder.

So encouraged by God’s working in the very hard and in the beautiful in and around Sandra’s life and her ability to put it into words and song. Will be reading/listening again! Would have been underlining a good bit with a physical copy.

[Kris Stoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was balm to my soul. I read it slowly so I could digest every word. So full of wisdom and hope.

[Kaitlyn Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely reflections. Felt like a devotional, with narratives, lyrics, and passages of scripture intertwined. Loved thinking about music as an extension of God’s hospitality.

[Scott Kohler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that read more like a series of free-flowing meditations than as a focused book. Page by page and chapter by chapter I really enjoyed and appreciated it. Along with my Bible reading in the morning it was a good help in leading my mind and heart toward God. It's more a 3.5 stars than a 3 for me, probably, but because of the way it holds together, or doesn't exactly do that, I couldn't quite give it four. It isn't quite as effective as McCracken's music. But I'm grateful for the time I spent with it.

[Amanda Jakana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and sweet. Just like Sandra.

[Berit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The chapter on lament really spoke to me. That was great.

Beyond that, I'm not sure exactly where this book goes wrong--perhaps my fault, for expecting a memoir when this is really more of a sermon in book form? I suppose I was just expecting a certain way of saying what one means, and this is not it. But I rarely felt fully drawn into the scenes and moments described in this book; they felt strangely two-dimensional, as though they were indeed sermon illustrations in service of a point--as though an editor had insisted on specific examples from the author's life to back up the theological confidence of this book. I don't think that's how transparent, vulnerable creative nonfiction works, though. It makes me all the more grateful for the Annie Dillards and Chris Wimans of the world, whose writing about themselves feels illuminatory, revelatory of something beyond autobiography.

I am, however, inspired to go listen to her record Desire Like Dynamite (2012). And, on the heels of some reflection earlier this year on my relationship with the Bible, it was good for me to engage with someone who has a robust, creatively symbiotic relationship with the language of Scripture.

[Genesis Baesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra McCracken’s style of writing is stunningly poetic and carefully thought out. McCracken references powerful Scripture verses and shares beautiful memories, experiences, and songs from her own life. All of which made the experience of reading ‘Send Out Your Light’ all the more sweeter. She gracefully invites the reader to send out their light in Christ. I gave this book a 4 because of the inconsistent flow of writing, which made it slightly difficult to smoothly follow the points she gives. Despite that, McCracken’s book will surely be enjoyed by both poets and musicians. Even an everyday reader.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra shares much wisdom in this short book. “Surely the pace of the sun and the orbit of the earth is steady and true. But some days, the cloud covering changes our perspective of what is steady and true. The sunrise does not guarantee that there will be no dark days, days when the fog sets in, thick and foreboding. But the morning does promise that the sun is there, faithful in rising even when it is hidden by the clouds.” Just a snippet of the encouragement and hope she brings from her own stories and experiences of God’s faithfulness. So good!

[Kristianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra has wrapped up so much light and encouragement in this little book. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into her personal life and how God has carried her through the valley so she can send out her light to others. Her music has taken on new meaning now that I know the stories behind so many of them.

Favorite quotes:

"Freedom is showing up, just as you are, and trusting God for what happens next."

"When we are chasing beauty, we are really chasing him."

"The place where the bush is not consumed, and the fire will not stop, is a place we can be certain that God is present."

[Ramarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I put this book aside for awhile, but recently picked it back up to finish the last third. I found the writing to be disjointed, with ideas conjoined sometimes without real explanation. There were moments of clarity, though, and I like her emphasis on the truth and healing of God’s word. I’m a huge fan of this author’s songwriting (her Psalms album has embedded itself in my heart and mind) but can’t say the same for her prose.

[Bethany B · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book, so poetic. Loved the stories she wove and the metaphors she used throughout the book and how she wove her own stories with the scriptures she would cling to or recall during these times . This will, for sure, be a book I come back to often. If you have the Dwell app it is included with the monthly subscription or lifetime. The author reads the book herself and is he is a singer and her voice is lovely to listen to.

[Cathy Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed most of the book...sometimes the thoughts seemed random and not connected so I had trouble following what Sandra was trying to say. Overall, I recommend reading it. Lovely music straight from Scripture to hold it all together. Encouraging and thoughtful and challenging at the same time. A beautiful witness to life lived fully while walking dependent on Jesus.

[Sadie Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra has a way with words, whether it be in song or literature. She gives new light and perspective to Scripture I've heard often, in her book. I love hearing how she loves the Lord - it's both deep and easily digestible. This book makes me feel comfort similar to a hug from a good friend.

[Emily Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a reminder of the beauty and grace it is that we get to commune with God and His people—through singing and sharing in life in the day to day.

[Nathaniel Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed balm. Filled with Scripture, song, and wonderful meditations on the light of Christ.

[Jennifer Markfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be a balm to your soul and deep encouragement on the days when you feel alone or discouraged. Sandra's writing is profound, yet accessible. She flawlessly weaves together stories of her life, Gospel truths, and beautiful lyrics. I am walking away from reading it with a deeper joy in and appreciation for where God has me!

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

made me *almost* want to go camping