Most of my life I have spent Sunday mornings at church. Over the years I have experienced being deeply moved by musical worship, or found myself significantly affected by a message, or encountered God in a new and fresh way through my connections with the Church community. However, though my experiences at church each week were at times compelling, generally speaking my Sunday morning attendance proved to be a simple practice of reverent submission to the call for fellowship and corporate worship. My general disposition was openness to God and his Truth, but, relative to my experience now, it is as though my life was only connecting loosely to the Gospel; it was like trying to substantially engage ideas that were intangible and theoretical based on my own life experience.
These last two years have been dramatically different.
Pain, suffering, heartache, brokenness, and loss have brought the Truth of the Gospel alive in my heart.
Almost every Sunday, I now find myself emotionally stirred. Every line of every song, every message from God’s Word, every mediation of Truth is no longer abstract; it all carries a huge weight of significance for me now. What was once theoretical is now concrete. What was once suppositional is now real. What was once intangible is now definite. It is the hope on which I have come to stake my very life—it is because He lives that I can face tomorrow!
Because He Lives
How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because Christ lives.
Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory – and I’ll know He lives.
It is songs like this that now penetrate the very core of my being.
That was beautiful. Thank you. I too find that I am emotional in church now.
Christina,
Oh, my friend…by no way of comparison do I know what you mean. But by my own journey…I ‘get’ what your saying. I look forward to church…but in a sense it’s with a cautious heart because I know somewhere I will have tears as everything just penetrates my soul because of the past few years. As I pray for you, I will be doing it as I walk into those settings…praying that God speaks
Thinking of Judson has choked me up many times during worship in church. His story has changed my perspective and he is frequently in my thoughts as I go about my days… but worship in church really "gets to me". Especially songs like "Blessed be Your Name, on the road marked with suffering"… "my heart will choose to say, how blessed is Your Name".
Christina: "Because He Lives" is a meaningful song to me as well. It’s the song I sang at my brother’s funeral back in 1990. Every time I hear those words, it strikes a deep chord in me. Thanks for sharing.
The words of songs can be powerful and healing. I recently found myself oddly comforted by the words of "Be Still My Soul". I wondered what the writer had gone through in his life. I’ve wanted to share them with you. "Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide. In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still my soul: thy best, they heavenly Friend. Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end….. The hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord. When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone. Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. When change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last."