In The Secret

I had a few moments this morning before starting a busy day and decided to grab a cup of coffee from our local Starbucks.  Walking out, coffee in hand, I had everything I have to do today, this week, even this next month running through my head.  Long story short, I was distracted.


Getting in the car though, I happened to look up and seen the sun, ever so slowly rising through the clouds, greeting me as it does every day, and a song came to mind that I hadn't sung in ages.

"In the secret, In the quiet place, in the stillness you are there.  In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait, only for you, 'cause I want to know you more." 

The words just hit me and I think the reason is that God was gently reminding me that my day isn't about the stuff I get accomplished or the to-do list items I check off, it's about Him.  It's never been about me, no matter how hard I try to make it so.


And so I ask myself, "What are my priorities today?"
"Am I not just waiting for, but seeking out opportunities to tell other people about how He's affected my life and how they can know Him as well?"
"Who is most important in my life today?  God or myself?"


When we get into the hustle and bustle of 'today', we must not forget to lift up the name of the One who gave it to us in the first place.  Jesus told us so perfectly in Matthew 6 what our first priority should be.  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..."

Worship

I watched a man worship tonight.


Really, truly, whole-heartedly worship.


Actually, it was two men.  The first I've had the privilege of getting to know over the past two years.  We've been in small group together, we've been to Paris together, He loves the Lord and leads his family well.  Basically, he's awesome.  The other I've only gotten to observe from afar.  He is a man of few words, but when he says something it is from God.  If I didn't have my Dad, he would definitely be on my top five 'Guys I Want To Be Like When I Grow Up' list.


Long story short, I was standing in the sanctuary tonight and there was a song in the music set that I hadn't heard before.  Believe me when I say this - I love new songs.  They get me out of my comfort zone a bit.  They make me think about the lyrics and really examine my heart as I worship.


So as I stood and contemplated, I had the joy of watching the first guy pour his soul passionately into his worship as he sang and played electric guitar.  It was an awesome display of his love for God overflowing out of his love for music - and it was for no one other than the Father.


On the other side of the stage was the second guy.  While his mouth may not be filled with words, his fingers spoke volumes.  Playing the bass guitar during that song wasn't just playing an instrument - it became an overwhelmingly expressive shout of praise to God.  I don't know that I can even put words to it.  He lost himself in his praises and I know with everything in me that the entirety of what he was doing up there was for the glory of God.


I couldn't help but smile to myself and praise my God and Father, my Lord and Savior, for such a beautiful picture of worship.  The Lord reminded me tonight of the purity of genuine worship before Him and the truth that Jesus spoke in John 4:

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 

Beautiful

We went to a "send off" party this afternoon for some friends of ours. Turns out, it was actually a surprise wedding! Through it all, I couldn't get the imagery of the bride of Christ out of my mind. As beautiful as the bride was, the Church is that much more beautiful to Christ.


In fact, the song 'Beautiful' by MercyMe comes to mind every time we go to a wedding, as I think through the idea that Christ was willing to face "death, even death on a cross" for our sake.  For me, the wedding this afternoon was yet another incredible reminder that Christ didn't just save us from our sins (though that would be enough) - we were adopted and made beautiful by the blood of Christ.  Where our sins would condemn us to eternity without God, there He stands, our Father, calling His children beautiful through the work of Jesus on the cross.

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us..." Galatians 3:13

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17

Paul says later in 2 Corinthians that Christ "became sin" so that we could become "the righteousness of God."  There has been a miraculous work done for our sakes, one that I still can't get my head around, but it was done nevertheless.  It will never cease to amaze me that this redemption work was done to restore and renew our relationship with God.  It will perpetually put a smile on my face and a song in my heart that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."


I think ultimately what I'm trying to say is that you are valuable to God.  You matter to Him.  No matter what you face in life, no matter what anyone says, God cherishes you.  Come to Jesus.  Let Him wash away the stains of sin and clothe you in garments of white.  Let Him whisper in your ear, the gentle reminder that:

"You're beautiful.  You are treasured.  You are sacred.  You are His."