Altogether Lovely

Over this last week, I have felt the weight of sin on my shoulders. I have been constantly aware of my error, and my inability to change some of the character flaws which have become a part of my earthly being. I desire to be rid of my sin, to live a life here on earth that is unstained, and pure in every aspect of my life, as should all those in relationship with Christ. I desire to be "holy, as (he) is holy (1 Peter 3:16), and have been frustrated as I continue to fail. I know this will always be during my time on earth and that my hope is found in the certainty I have in Heaven and more specifically in the God who has sent His son thus giving me that certainty. However, although my head knows this, my heart does not often live it. I still get frustrated. I still try to change myself, rather than looking to my creator to help me.

I recently read the following quote, and I thought I would share it as it pertains to my prior thoughts. "Our birthright is to fail and to fail often, but to fail in search of something bigger than we can imagine. To do anything else is to waste it all." (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/06/is-it-worthy.html) I am seeking to take these frustrations, and allow myself to dwell on the perfection of Christ. God knows my failures. I know that I serve a God who loves me, who forgives me and who is refining, sanctifying and conforming me more, every day to His image. I am thankful for this. I am thankful that God loves me even though I sin, and wants me to run to Him with the burden, so that He can strengthen me to do the things I cannot do on my own. In this way, even when I fail, I bring Him glory, as I recognize more and more that it isn't about me and so much about Him.

To close, I heard a familiar song this morning, that really resonated with me and corresponds well with my above thoughts. This song is by Kari Jobe and it is called Beautiful. This prayer represents the attitude that I pray I have as I live my life day to day. That I could release the burdens and the failures of the day, to recognize the beauty that is held in Christ. For He is "altogether lovely..." (Song 5:16) and worthy to be praised.

Click here to listen to the song.

Here, before your altar,

I am letting go of all I've held

Of ever motive, every burden,

Every thing that's of myself.

And I just want to wait on you my God,

I just want to dwell in who you are.

Beautiful, beautiful,

Oh I am lost for more to say.

Beautiful, beautiful,

Oh Lord, You're beautiful to me.

Here, in your presence,

I am not afraid of brokenness,

To wash your feet,

With humble tears,

Oh I would be poured out

Till nothing is left.

And I just want to wait on you my God,

I just want to dwell in who you are.

Holy, Holy, Holy,

You are, You are.

Holy, Holy, Holy,

You are, You are.

"because he first loved us."

Love it such a funny thing. Miraculous really. Here we are on earth and the earth is created, maintained and upheld by God. God not only created earth, but He created man from His image (Genesis 1:27) and from man, created woman. So here we are, humans on a planet called earth, with a purpose. A purpose to live a life completely and utterly devoted to the glory of God, our creator, sustainer, father and King. We seek to do this by loving God. Making Him our priority, and placing Him and His will above all earthly joys and pleasures, recognizing that how we spend our time on earth, will affect our eternal existence and the life that our souls will live far beyond our temporary time on earth. It seems so simple. Love God, and love others. But love is so confusing. So God, who is love, sends His son to earth, where he lives fully human as Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world. During this time, Jesus shows us the ultimate act of love. He dies for us. He takes the burden of all of our sin which separates us from God, so that we can experience this love. A love like no other love which was demonstrated on the cross. (Romans 5:8) In 1 John 4:19 it states "we love because he first loved us."

On earth, there are so many different kinds of love: friendship, romantic, familial, brotherly and the list goes on. What would it look like if every human relationship we had, we loved remembering that the only reason we are able to experience even a small ounce of love, is because "he first loved us". How would our relationships thus turn our hearts to God in worship and praise of all He has done for us, and spur us on to run towards Him with our eyes fixed on His goodness, remembering His grace and love for us (being the origin of love!). That our love for God, would cause us to love others, and would in turn cause us to run back to God in thankfulness and the cycle would just continue!

I am thankful for the ability God has given me to love and for sending His son as the ultimate act of love. I pray that everyday I can embrace the opportunities I have to love all those around me, and that I am able to love God more "because he first loved (me)" thus giving me the ability to experience such a beautiful and wonderful gift.