Song

Some friends and I have recently committed to learning guitar well enough to be able to lead worship among small ministry gatherings. I already know some basics and play by ear (from my piano days) and was picking out some of my favorite worship songs to practice to the other day. There was one in particular that as I figured out the cords and started playing/singing, the words, for the first time EVER completely overwhelmed me.
I had sung this song hundreds of times before, paying little attention to what I was actually pleading before my Father. I was overcome with emotion and began examining my heart "these are heavy words...do I really mean them when I sing?"
I desire to mean them...
I yearn for them to be sung honestly before The Lord, but I also recognize how deep of a commitment worshiping with those words entails.
And then I recognized how many times I have sung them in the past, in vain, and have not truly meant them at the core of my being.
But what a powerful song of total surrender to The Lord and his leading over our lives!!!

"Savior I come, quiet my soul
Remember redemption's hill, where your blood was spilled for my ransom.

Everything I once held dear, I count it all as loss.

You were as I, tempted and tried
You were human.
Your word became flesh, bore my sin and death
And now you're risen!!

Lead me to the cross, where your love poured out
Bring me to my knees, Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to you
Lead me to the cross.

Everything I once held dear, I count it all as loss."

Get Out of the Boat

We often hear/say to others: "we're just so blessed!" And while this is true in most regards, I have often found myself using this blessed term in regards to:

living comfortable lifestyles
being well-off
being safe & sound
living the "American Dream"

And while none of these are inherently bad, per say, something Jesus has been teaching our family lately is living in, and fully understanding the blessing of God - a lot of times - has to do with surrendering the above list, and fully abiding in His provision.

We've all heard the story of the ominous day on the lake where the Disciples got caught on their boat, in the middle of a gruesome storm. And how, in their fear and discomfort, they looked up to see Jesus walking on the water, out at sea, toward them.

The disciples were confused, still scared, rolling with the waves in their small fishing boat, when Peter cried out to Jesus asking if that was, in fact, Jesus.

Jesus confirmed it was He, and then invited Peter to step out of the boat and walk to him on water, in the midst of the raging sea.

NOW STOP. For Peter to do this was not safe/sound/comfortable (obviously). But He did it. He had immense faith in Jesus, and while the other disciples were too scared to ever do such a thing, Peter got out of the boat and walked to Jesus. Imperfect Peter...who even as He was walking to Jesus, lost his faith for a moment and started to sink, but Jesus, again, lifted him.

You see I find it most profound that Jesus never rebuked the clan of disciples who didn't want to get out of the boat. They were fine to stay. But Peter, in his faith, got to experience the blessing and power of Jesus in a way no other human has since experienced.
And while walking to Jesus, he was still weak and imperfect and needed a Savior as he lost faith and started to sink.
God uses the weak. Amazing.

I believe Jesus is doing BIG WORKS and massive movements for His kingdom all over the world, ever second that passes.

I also believe that He can accomplish such works all by Himself. He is God Almighty.

However, the God of the Universe INVITES US...you and I....to be a part of the great work He is doing. He invites us to partner with Him and be used as a missile of His power to penetrate the hearts of unbelievers and bring them to His Kingdom.

I have realized I can either sit in the boat and watch His work unveil, or get out of the boat, in total surrender and faith, and be a part of His great work...

What a privilege.

What a true blessing.

We only get a short lifetime to be a part of His work on earth before we join Him in His kingdom, yet we find ourselves concerned with menial things like making sure our kids are the best dressed, or that our houses are big and nicely decorated, or that our appearances please those around us...I am guilty of all, and like Peter, fail in my focus time and time again.

But our family has been praying lately to be more like Peter in the sense that we leave our comforts and surrender the safety of the boat for the sake of Jesus and experiencing Him in a way we never could if we clung tight to the boat.

That above list? I believe that is what awaits us in HEAVEN. Those things we long for in terms of security, safety, wealth, prosperity...we will attain those in perfect harmony living with our Savior in a very SHORT while. So why pursue that now, when God is preparing such things for us in Heaven?

(***my dad shared some of this about Peter with Jason and I, 4 years ago when we were making some tough decisions, and since it has grown like wildfire in my soul. It's a scary prayer to pray, but rich in blessing.***)