I came to church this morning feeling a little drained, but the songs and the message cut to my heart as we talked about God’s promises and God’s will. I want to cling to the promises that God has given us in His word. God promises to redeem this earth and redeem his children. I want to look at this world and be moved (to action) with compassion like Christ was, not distracted and apathetic at all the chaotic mess.
This is the first week since I began my job that I was counting down the days for my weekend to begin. I was feeling discouraged the past few days as I encounter so many people who are living devastating, destructive lives...not just at work, but everywhere I look. I am surrounded by many people who are living in a man-made hell on earth. As I look at all the hurt, pain, and suffering in everyone’s life, sometimes I feel so weighed down. I only personally know the human suffering of a small handful in comparison with the billions of people that walk this earth. That thought is overwhelming, but at the same time makes me want to fall on my face and worship my God.
I cannot believe that I follow a God that sympathizes with the pain and suffering of humanity and desires to redeem it…not only does God desire to see us walking in unity with Him, but he gave his son, to die for our sins, that we may have the hope of living a life in unity with God’s heart, desires, and passions.
Vermon read Ephesians 3:20 this morning and it struck my heart in such a special way, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
If I, a human, a sinner, can ask and think of the worst of situations to be made whole and complete in Christ, then how much greater is God’s desire to do that for humanity? It is incomparable. I serve a God that is ABLE TO DO far more ABUNDANTLY than all that I ask or think. ..ABLE…TO DO…FAR MORE…ABUNDANTLY…ALL…that I ASK…OR THINK… I am truly in awe of God when I think of this. How can I be discouraged when I think about God’s great heart of love, compassion, justice, and righteousness?
Just wanted to share the words of some songs we sang today that really touched my heart.
The first one touched me because I feel like I can easily get lost in trying to understand what God has willed and planned. When I can freely admit that I am not skilled to undertand those things, I am freed to look at what I do know…I know that at God’s right hand is my Savior.
The second song touched me because I do not want to ever claim freedom from sorrow, pain, or care, I only want to glorify God’s name. The same goes for this world. The deepest fulfillment and joy comes not in freedom from pain, but in glorifying God’s name and to steal John Piper’s famous quote, “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him” (and being satisfied in God, will one day lead us to eternity freed from pain and suffering and a present life filled with a role in GOd's mission to redeem all of humanity from the death that sin has trapped us in.
My Savior, My God
I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at his right hand
Stands one who is my savior
I take him at his word and deed
Christ died to save me this I read
And in my heart I find a need
For him to be my savior
That he would leave his place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my savior
My savior loves, my savior lives
My savior's always there for me
My God he was, my God he is
My God he's always gonna be
Yes, living, dying; let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring
That he who lives to be my king
Once died to be my savior
Be Glorified
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Freedom dare I claim
This alone shall be my prayer
Glorify thy name
Be glorified in me
Be glorified
Be glorified in me
Be glorified
Can I child presume to choose
where or how to live?
Can a father's love refuse
all the best to give?
Let my glad heart while it sings
Thee in all proclaim
And whatever future brings
Glorify thy name
Romans 8:18-25
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
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4 comments:
Beautiful Dennae, I am glad that the music helped you through those thoughts and more of an understanding of God's grand and sometimes hard to understand love and plan for us. It really helped me this week too!
Dennae,
Music is great. I was talking with your mom yesterday about how amazing it is. I love how as I understand more about God, songs become increasingly meaningful. Likewise, music has helped me to better comprehend God as well. And like Vermon said this morning, the fruits of a strong theology is a more intimate relationship and involvement with God and His mission.
That he would leave his place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my savior
I want you to know that I am encouraged by hearing your concern for others, because I know its a result of God replacing your heart with His own. I have been in awe the last few months as I have found myself hurting for people and issues I previously cared nothing about. And as I sit feeling this pain, my mind tries to wrap itself around the idea that God's desire to transform and restore lives is far greater than mine. The hurt He must endure (and has endured) for the sake of us sinners is inconceivable.
We sang this song this morning, and I identified with it a lot. Although I hurt for others, I do not always act on it when I could.
DC Talk \ In The Light
I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from You
I am the king of excuses
I've got one for every selfish thing I do
What's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behaviour
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Saviour
CHORUS:
I wanna be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation
Cause all I want is to be in the Light
All I want is to be in the Light
The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control
Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behaviour
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Saviour
Even if we do not understand exactly what God has planned, how great is it that He has made it apparent to us that we are in need of a Savior, and that the offer applies to all of mankind.
Sometimes I wish I could attach a cable to my brain and heart and download what I know about our wonderful Lord and Savior. When I see people who are suffering, especially if it is because of the poor decisions they have made, I wish I could help them understand that there is only one answer. It is a long road, but it is the only one to follow that has something of value to offer.
So, since there is no cable to do that all we can do is try to love them unconditionally and seek opportunities to share the answers with them. Occasionally, we will have someone decide to pursue that path and see the results. We have to be willing to bear the pain of those who will not make that decision and continue in their destructive path, in order to be in position to make a differance with the few who will turn.
Thank God, that as we travel down this path, we have the grace and peace of Christ in our lives and the confidence that we are secure in Him.
I always skip Eddie's comments when I'm reading your blog :) Someday when I have time (maybe in 50 years) I'll go back to read them ;)
I agree... music is so powerful. I love how it speaks to us. Those are great songs!
That is beautiful Dennae. Sometimes I am just so overwhelmed by how much people suffer. I cannot help but cry for those people who are going through devastating situations. One amazing thing is that I feel I have been experiencing some of the same things as you even though I'm across the country. I can't wait to be home (7 DAYS!) and share them with you! You're amazing!
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