Stepping out...

Yesterday, the music and worship in our church was very moving. I will just say right now, if you are not singing the song "Mighty to Save" in your contemporary service at your church, you MUST share it with your worship leader asap! It is a moving song that proclaims boldly that our God can move mountains and is mighty to save. 

Music has a way of ushering me into the presence of the Holy Spirit in a very unique way. This song is on my short list of very powerful praise and worship songs. 

I found this video of the song done by Hillsong on YouTube...

We also sang a song called "I Surrender". Man, I had a hard time singing this song yesterday. A friend of mine (Laurie) recently posted on her blog her experience in worship. She shared that if there is a song that is being sung and she cannot truly proclaim the words to the song, she doesn't sing along and went on to give an example from her experience. That has really stayed with me since reading it. So, yesterday, we sang the song "I Surrender". Here are the lyrics:
I'm giving You my heart and all that is withinI lay it all down for the sake of You my KingI'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rightsI'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life
And I surrender All to you, all to you
I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the crossAnd all the world holds dear, I count it all as lossFor the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your nameTo know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain
You might be scratching your head at this point wondering why I wouldn't be able to sing these lyrics yesterday. I mean, if you read them and re-read them, there's probably not anything that stands out that would make you question the song, right? Well, for me there's just one word, just one!
Here's where I'm coming from. I have some areas in my life that I have not completely surrendered over to the Lord; not out of biligerance, but out of fear. Now, what is the opposite of fear? Lack of faith... So, I have a couple of areas in my life that I am lacking in faith. I have not surrendered because of my fear (or lack of faith). So, yesterday, it was very hard for me to sing this song from the stage. The song is powerful and moving and it would have been very easy for me to engage musically in the song, but spiritually, I struggled.

I know we all have struggles in our lives; physical, emotional, spiritual. I've learned that even those around us who seem so put together also have struggles. This life is not easy and learning to love and trust a God that we cannot see is not easy. I've said before, our relationship with Him is a journey. Sometimes the path is easy and other times, it's rocky. I just happen to be on a rocky stretch right now. My first tendency is to run and hide until it passes, but I will miss out in the strengthening of my faith if I do this. I want to be able to sing 100% from my heart the words to "I Surrender", especially the word ALL!
There's a story in the Bible in Mark 9 about a father who brings his son to be healed from the evil spirits that are controlling him. The father approaches Jesus and says, "If you can do anything, do it..." Jesus answers, "Ifs? There are no ifs among believers..." The father then witnesses the healing of his son through the power of Jesus. He proclaims in Mark 9:24 "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!" Just as the father did, it's time for me to pray and believe that Jesus will help me with my doubts. It's time for me to stop being afraid and step out in faith!
We all have doubts! What are your struggles? Do you believe that Jesus can overcome? Are you inspired by the father in the story? Do you identify with him and his doubts? Take to heart Jesus's response. It wasn't just meant for that father...it was meant for you! Pray for the Lord to help you with your doubts.
Lord, as your word says..."I believe. Help me with my doubts!"   ~Amen.