Saturday, March 22, 2014

Words

I've been trying to think of something authentic and worth-your-while to write for this blog over the past couple of weeks, but to no avail. And it just came to me why that might be: I'm sick of words. Sometimes I look at my life and that's all I see - words, words and more words. I do a lot of talking and singing and reading and writing, and not much else. And I'm thinking that maybe that's not ok.


I finally signed myself into youtube and made a playlist of all my favourite songs this past week! Twenty-six songs that really speak to me - can't believe I've waited so long to do this...One song on my list is Lifesong by Casting Crowns. Unlike most of the other songs on my new list, I hadn't heard this one for a while and really just added it because I remembered that I liked it at one time, and it was in the list of suggested videos down the side of the page... However, once I listened to it again, one line in particular really jumped out at me:

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

I just have to ask myself: have I been singing in vain? And writing in vain? And preaching in vain? And posting God-things on facebook in vain? What does it all amount to, anyway? Are these merely small, empty sacrifices? Am I just talking the talk?

I'm not expecting an answer - but it's a thought that deserves examination, I think. And if all this singing and writing and talking are encouraging a few people and helping them see and know and trust and serve God even a little more deeply, clearly, fully - then I must believe all is not in vain. Two scriptures keep coming to mind when I consider this question: "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) and "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17). The first reminds me that what I do is not the only important thing - God invites me to be still and know Him. But the second! Here are the surrounding verses:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. (James 2:15-18)

Since I believe that all the parts of the Bible fit together, I have to conclude that these thoughts are not mutually exclusive; that both are significant.  Food for thought; fuel for action.  I'm so thankful that God has brought this to my attention; I'm excited to see what He wants to do with me! Excited, scared, anticipating, freaked...you know :)  I'm praying that all this will serve to help me be a little more deliberate, intentional as I go about my day-to-day. Because that's where the rubber hits the road - am I living the love of Jesus in my closest relationships; in my family, with my friends and colleagues? I'm thinking that as I learn to live this out, I'll be finding more and more real joy. Praying God's peace and direction for you (yes, you!) as you journey further down your own path - bless you!






2 comments:

  1. Reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Sidewalk Prophets, "Live Like That"...Sometimes I think, what will people say of me, when I'm only just a memory...? Was I Love, when no one else would show up? Was I Jesus to the least of us? Was my worship more than just a song? I wanna live like that and give it all I've got, so that everything I say and do points to You! If love is who I am, then this is where l stand; recklessly abandoned, never holding back! I wanna live like that!

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    Replies
    1. I love that song. I sing along as my own heart's prayer.

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