GATHER IN THE LIGHT

The cross WAS ENOUGH. The cross IS ENOUGH.

I ran across an amazing song created and performed by the worship arts program at Grand Canyon University. There is a part in the song where a choir comes in and it’s the climax to the song. I get goose bumps and chills almost every time I listen to it. If you’ve been around me at all, you know when I get hooked on a song; I get hooked. I mean I will play the song I’m currently hooked on at least 5 times a day, if not more. I love the way this song ebbs and flows. I’ve listened to it at least 200 times over the past two weeks. But it wasn’t until the other day that all of they lyrics of the bridge stuck out and really spoke to me.

Come and rest my love All the work is done The cross was enough The cross is enough You are not your shame Redeemed is your name The cross was enough The cross is enough

I want to break the bridge into two lines each and chat about them. I feel that two lines at a time tie into one another.

1. COME AND REST MY LOVE, ALL THE WORK IS DONE.

There is so much power in the truth of those lyrics. Are you tired? Worn out with life? Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 to come to him who all are weary, and he will give us rest. I don’t know about you, but there are many times where I try and do things in my own strength and when I do, I wear myself out. Thankfully, I can get down on my knees in prayer and read the truth in scripture to fill me back up. How refreshing is it that the God over the universe offers himself to us to give us rest. To comfort us in our darkest hours. Psalm 62:5 says: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. In this Psalm, David is literally telling his soul to find rest in God, that his hope comes from God. Today, if you are reading this feeling worn out, weary, tired, burdened, burnt out, or just plain lost let me give you comfort friend. Believe in the truth of His word that is so alive. Believe that Jesus Christ does, can, and will give you rest. James say draw near to God and he will draw near to you. If you feel like there is something you need to “do”, DON’T.  ALL THE WORK IS DONE.

2. The Cross Was Enough, The Cross Is Enough

Over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was nailed to the cross, he said IT IS FINISHED. Remember the day when you realized the grace of God and how wonderful that was knowing that NOTHING you can do could be “good enough” to get you to heaven? That God loved you enough to send his own son into the world to pay for your sins? What about the first time the cross really meant something to you? The cross was enough then. And let me remind you, the cross is enough now. And it will be enough tomorrow, the next day, and for eternity until Jesus returns. It was lying on my back on the couch this week where God really reminded me of this. I’ve always felt this strong desire to do things for the Lord. To serve him. Play worship. Teach kids. Help with small group. I’m not saying those things are bad, they are good things. But when the mindset becomes “doing” instead of “loving”, we can drift into the wrong motives. I laid on my back for almost three days straight. I couldn’t play guitar and worship. I couldn’t type on a computer, or even really have the strength to get up and turn the pages in my Bible. It was during this time where God reminded me that even lying there, tired and feeling broken and useless due to my injury, he loves me the SAME as he does when I am doing all of those things I mentioned.

3. YOU ARE NOT YOUR SHAME. REDEEMED IS YOUR NAME.

It was early in my walk with Jesus where I began to feel the weight of my past on my shoulders. I remember specifically asking God, “How can I do anything worthy to carry your name? People know how I acted before. Even you, God, know the decisions I made in the past. Such terrible decisions.” Do you feel that way? Are there things in your past that make you feel ashamed? Maybe even something you did this weekend that makes you feel shame? The lyrics in this song are a great reminder of truth that comes from scripture. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Just look at Paul’s story. He was doing the complete opposite of following Christ. And he wrote about half of the New Testament. Dear friend, you are not your shame. Jesus Christ did not come to the world to condemn the world, but the world through him would be saved. 1 John says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us. So I urge you to believe those words. HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE YOU. No matter how “big” or “small” you believe your sin or mistake to be. There is so much freedom that comes from living a life with Jesus.

If you are coming across this blog and want to give your life to Jesus and don’t know what steps to take. Or if you just need someone to talk to . Please don’t hesitate to contact me.

And of course, here is the song. Enjoy and God Bless!