Did I Lie on Sunday?
The music swelled, drums built, and voices melded. Harmony rose and fell in the background. During worship this week, God suddenly called me on the carpet.
“Do you mean that one, Jennifer?” he asked me quietly during one song. I had been distracted by the lilting inflections of the song so he caught me offguard.
“Do you mean that? Is that true?”
It’s an odd thing to have God gently call you a liar. I looked up again at the words to Hillsong’s Forever Reign lyrics.
…
You are joy, You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting
Oh, I’m running to Your arms, I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I’m letting go
Oh, I’m running to Your arms I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
My heart will sing
no other Name
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus
“Can you say that the riches of my love will always be enough for you? What about…?” and he talked to me with an insight only he fully has.
“And remember that in my presence you are made whole, Jen? How does that change this _______________?” he asked tenderly, lovingly.
My throat choked up. “Yes, God. I want that. Help my life reflect that.”
On the next chorus round, I sang it again, smiling and lovingly teary-eyed.
What about you? What song have you been thinking about or humming this week? What have you been learning?
(Photo from IStock Microsoft Clipart)
We just had a special night of prayer and worship at our church a couple weeks ago – they sang that same song. I dropped to my knees, praying and begging my "Daddy" in heaven to make the words true in my life – in so many different areas where I take things on myself, and do NOT run to Him, and let Him take care of it. Yet, I felt assured deep inside that He, indeed, WAS holding me, safe.
Rach,
I understand… I love too that, like you said, he never wavers, he is always there. It's rather my level of submitting or not submitting that fluctuates, and my level of being fully satisfied in him. I love Piper's quote "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."
God is constant and good.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Wow Jennifer, I don't think I've had a particular song on my mind this week but I have been overwhelmed with God's joy, peace, gratitude… many times! Thanks for sharing your "Sunday" story!
Hi AmyAlves,
"Overwhelmed with God's joy, peace, and gratitude…" He is good isn't he?!
Glad you joined us here, Amy.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
jennifer, it's nice to be reminded that "we" are there to worship and praise. Too often I think folks see the musicians and singers as the "praise and worship", and themselves as the audience.
We are all on the "praise and worship" team, with an audience of One.
What an awesome post. God deals with me in worship too. It is so easy to get distracted. Jesus Messiah is the one that has been touching my heart. God Bless you guys.
Glenda Parker
glendaparkerfictionwriter.blogspot.com