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God with Us

Easter and Christmas are about God walking amongst mere mortal humans, to show us the depth of his love and paying the debt of our sins.

When you think about it in terms like that, it is truly amazing that such a Holy and awesome God would even consider doing such a thing for those of us who have turned our backs on Him. He did not come to save the righteous (although they are in need of a savior as much as anyone else), but he came for the lost, the down trodden, those without any hope of pulling themselves up on their own will and power. Jesus came to give love to those who were unlovely, hope to those who were hopeless, faith to the unfaithful, peace for those who do not know peace and life to those who are dying.

We are now free because of His sacrifice, not because of anything that we have done ourselves. The greatest gift the world could ever know makes all that is in me cry out to glorify out savior. Without him we are nothing. In him we have everything.

How can I say “Thank you” to such a gift as this? What in this world can compare to what you have done? There is no way that any of us can repay such a sacrifice. Only by laying down my life before Him can I ever begin to show my gratitude.

Take my offering, oh Lord, and use it to your glory.

….Inspired by the song “God with us” by Mercy Me.

Who are we that You would be mindful of us
What do you see that’s worth looking our way?
We are free in ways that we never should be
Sweet release, from the grip of these chains

Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing

All that is within me cries for You alone be glorified
Emmanuel, God with us
My heart sings a brand new song
The debt is paid, these chains are gone
Emmanuel, God with us

Lord You know, our hearts don’t deserve Your glory
Still You show a love we cannot afford
Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing

Such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary
Nevertheless, we lay it at your feet

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Reflection

Noun

  • A calm, lengthy, intent consideration [syn: contemplation]
  • A remark expressing careful consideration [syn: observation]

 

Finding time to reflect is often a very difficult thing for me to do. It takes quiet time away from the busy hustle and bustle of life. Considering what I do for a living (working on IT systems) it very often becomes a 24 hour job that never seems to end. Unfortunately this doesn’t always give me the “quiet time” that I need to reflect.

I find that listening to music is often the time that I reflect the most. I also tend to be listening to music as I am driving to and from work (usually an hour long commute), which makes it difficult to write down my thoughts and feelings. However, I also tend to “wear a song out” by listening to those that I like over and over again. This gives me the ability to dwell on my thoughts and emotions that are evoked by certain music and songs.

At some point in my teenage years, I became a student of song lyrics and writing down those that had incredible influence or meaning to me. I can’t even begin to list all the songs that impacted me through the years. One of my favorite musicians became Steven Curtis Chapman, who always seemed to write a song or two that would strike me right in the middle of some struggle that I was going through at the time.

Many of these songs have given me a chance to reflect upon either life or personal struggles that I’ve gone through. Follow my reflections on this blog and you’ll see some of these songs that have influenced me through the years.

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About my Blog

My primary goal with this blog is to reflect upon things that I’ve observed or been a part of in the past. I may even summarize current events or trends that I see for the future. But, this is primarily about my point of view.