pneuma kai alētheia | spirit and truth
•WHAT A WORSHIP LEADER THINKS ABOUT BETWEEN SUNDAYS•
I have a hand written card in my office from one the sweetest ladies I’ve ever met, Grandma Maxine. She often gave me notes of encouragement, reminders of God’s love for me. Ironically, this card I have taped to the bottom of my computer monitor has become more and more relevant than the day she handed it to me. The note is a quote from Oswald Chambers. It reads
God is never in a panic, nothing can be done that He is not absolutely Master of, and no one in earth or in heaven can shut a door He has opened, nor open a door He has shut. God alters the inevitable when we get in touch with Him.
I love that last line…“God alters the inevitable when we get in touch with Him.”
I very much like plans and schedules. I like to know what’s happening, when it’s happening and how it’s going to happen. I often miss big pictures because I’m squinting to look at the details. I’m usually the one asking, “Well, how is it going to get done? What’s the plan?”
Just this week, a situation came up that had me asking those very questions. For most people, the situation would be considered minor, maybe even insignificant. But, nevertheless, I needed details. I needed the strategy for getting it done. As I went to sources to get answers, I felt the anxiety rise up. (I think some of it spilled on the person with whom I was conversing. Oops.) Do these people not understand everything that’s involved in making this situation happen!?
Now, in this particular instance, no harm will come if things just happen willy-nilly. But, this is a struggle with which I fight daily–trying to keep the anxiety, the panic, at bay. My heart knows that the God I serve is mighty, omnipotent and omniscient. I know He is faithful and has never failed. I know He sees the beginning, the end and everything in between, all at once. But, my mind shouts loudly, “What’s the plan for this situation!?”
A few months ago, I got some news that sent my head reeling. I had some time by myself before passing along the news and, although there was an initial moment of shock, I almost immediately went into trying to figure out the solution. My heart wanted to fall down at the feet of Jesus and just cry and be comforted in His Presence. My head, on the other hand, reminded me of how this situation really is my fault and therefore, I needed to fix it. The one big complication with that though–this problem is out of my control.
My only option is to trust God, to remember that He isn’t in a panic about this; He is Master of this. And, as I get in touch with Him, worship Him, fellowship with Him, He can alter the inevitable. He alone quiets my mind and soul, just as He did with the wind and the waves. My glorious Prince of peace.
Whatever I face, I know that I can praise God because He doesn’t have problems, only plans. And just because He doesn’t lay out all the specifics for me, doesn’t mean He doesn’t care. It means that I need to draw in closer to Him so that when He does reveal the next step in the plan, I will be close enough to hear it.
Father, I thank you for the assurance that Your plans never fail. Help me to see things from Your eternal perspective, and to hold on to the reality that, in spite of the way things look, You are in control. Indeed, You are still on the throne! (Romans 8:28, 31, 37-39)
Father, I thank you for the assurance that Your plans never fail. Help me to see things from Your eternal perspective, and to hold on to the reality that, in spite of the way things look, You are in control. Indeed, You are still on the throne! (Romans 8:28, 31, 37-39)
I’m Listening To…
This Week’s New Song: When You Walk Into The Room by Brian & Katie Torwalt
This isn’t a new song, per se, as it’s been out since 2013 and I’ve heard it before. But it really struck a chord with me this week. It’s a great reminder of the power we have in Christ and what happens when He is in the situation. And, if we’ll remember, He lives in us, so when we walk into a room, He walks into the room with us!
Verse 1
When You walk into the room everything changes,
Darkness starts to tremble at the light that You bring.
When You walk into the room every heart starts burning
And nothing matters more than just to sit here at Your feet and worship You.
When You walk into the room everything changes,
Darkness starts to tremble at the light that You bring.
When You walk into the room every heart starts burning
And nothing matters more than just to sit here at Your feet and worship You.
Chorus
We love You and we’ll never stop. We can’t live without You, Jesus.
We love You, we can’t get enough. All this is for You, Jesus.
We love You and we’ll never stop. We can’t live without You, Jesus.
We love You, we can’t get enough. All this is for You, Jesus.
Verse 2
When You walk into the room sickness starts to vanish,
Every hopeless situation ceases to exist.
When You walk into the room the dead begin to rise
‘Cause there is resurrection life in all You do.
Every hopeless situation ceases to exist.
When You walk into the room the dead begin to rise
‘Cause there is resurrection life in all You do.
Bridge
Come and consume, God, all we are
We give You permission. our hearts are Yours.
We want You, we want You.
We give You permission. our hearts are Yours.
We want You, we want You.
Verse 1
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r thru’out the universe displayed!
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r thru’out the universe displayed!
Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
“How great Thou art, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
“How great Thou art, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
“How great Thou art, how great Thou art!”
Verse 2
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin!
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin!
Verse 3
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, “My God, how great Thou art!”
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, “My God, how great Thou art!”