songs of my heart

lately i have come to the realization that i find true joy in great worship. there are songs that i cannot resist singing along with, and singing is definitely NOT a talent or gift that God blessed me with. however, He did bless me with ears that hear and an appreciation for people whose gift is to put my thoughts into song.

worshiping as a body of Christ and knowing that the songs that i love so much are just as cherished by others amplifies the joy i find through song.

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
-1 Timothy 2:8

throughout the bible God's people make Him aware of their awe by singing the songs that He has placed upon their hearts. because God's glory is greater than any one of us can express on our own, it is important to work as a body to bring to His name the honor and fame that it deserves.

"The whole earth falls to its knees— it worships you, sings to you, can't stop enjoying your name and fame." -Psalm 66:3 (MSG)

falling to our knees in worship may not always be socially acceptable, however, the surrendering of the heart involved in such honest worship is an attitude, we, as believers, must work on attaining. i find the best way to bring myself to His knees is to listen to the songs that find a way to express the words that God is trying to speak to me through my Bible studies and devotionals. sometimes the best way to learn something is to hear it multiple times, right?

so, the song of the day is a much longer explanation.

"How He Loves Us" - David Crowder Band

"He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me. "

he is jealous for me. how wonderful is the thought of God -the almighty perfect Lord- being jealous, experiencing the epitome of a fleshly emotion, for us, an unworthy object to desire. the weather in southern california right now brings a greater emphasis to His love "...like a hurricane, I am like a tree, bending beneath..." watching trees that have stood for decades crash to the ground beneath the strength of the wind, while small saplings stand motionless as though they are composed of steel. it is through this song that i realize the greatness of His promises and emotions that are expressed within the many verses of the bible. i often equate God's emotions to mine. however, as the creator of the universe He has the capacity to experience our human emotions to an infinite degree.

then he continues on to sing:

"And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest"

we are His portion? how in the world did we manage to become His portion, being a tiny piece of the beautiful, glorious creation that is His masterpiece. and finding Him as the prize at the end of our race. what could be more wonderful? but, the hopeless romantic in me enjoys the final lines, "and heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss, and my heart turns violently inside of my chest." everyone understands the feeling that comes with an unexpected first kiss. this is a moment that is never forgotten despite when it occurs in someone's life. the emotions that overflow the brim of one's heart as the heart "turns violently" after being granted such a moment. God's plan, God's grace, the moments when God touches us are far greater than our first kiss. and by the sounds of it in God's written word, heaven, His dwelling place, is far greater than the earth with which we have been granted.

i am all over the place today. but spark notes:
1. worship. corporately and individually, either way bring glory to God in the highest.
2. He is far greater than we could ever imagine. enjoy this fact and celebrate His greatness.
3. expect God to grant you your "first kiss" and bask in that moment of unforeseen awe.