This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to Oklahoma to catch up with friends and family. A highlight for me is always being able to help lead in worship at Generations Church. Generations Church is always such a blessing and encouragement to me.
On Sunday I was able to help teach two new songs by or arranged by the David Crowder Band called “Glory of It All” and the hymn “O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” What I love about both of these songs is the hope for a new day, the optimism for change, and the realization of God’s grace, faithfulness, and 2nd and 2,222nd chances. I’ve recommend David Crowder’s new album “Remedy” before and I’ll do so again.
Although I love the two songs above, my favourite song off this album is called “Surely We Can Change.” The lyrics are:
And the problem is this
We were bought with a kiss
But the cheek still turned
Even when it wasn’t hit
And I don’t know
What to do with a love like that
And I don’t know
How to be a love like that
When all the love in the world
Is right here among us
And hatred too
And so we must choose
What our hands will do
Where there is pain
Let there be grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Help them be brave
Where there is misery
Bring expectancy
And surely we can change
Surely we can
Something
And the problem it seems
Is with you and me
Not the Love who came
To repair everything
Where there is pain
Let us bring grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Let us be brave
Where there is misery
Let us bring them relief
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Oh surely we can change
Something
Oh, the world’s about to change
The whole world’s about to change
These lyrics capture my heart and what I want to be about in this world.
So, tying this all together . . . . I’m having one of those sleepless nights so I decided to catch up on my bible reading plan as I had fallen a day behind. In 2 Chronicles 16:9 it reads:
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (NLT).
In this story Hanani the seer (how cool of a nick name is “the seer”?!?!) tells King Asa that because you have put your trust in the king of Aram you have “missed your chance . . . .” Hanani reminds King Asa that when he relied on the Lord he received victory but is now a fool because he’s put his hope in men. It’s a cool story and you can find it in 2 Chronicles 16:7-10
What I love about this verse is what it DOES NOT say. God is not looking to strengthen the strong. He is not looking to strengthen the put together. God simply wants to strengthen a man or women whose heart is fully committed to him. Can you be strong and fully committed? Of course. Can you be put together and fully committed? Absolutely.
However, being strong and put together gives me no hope because I am weak and a wreck. I don’t know if I’ll ever be considered strong and put together. I think I’m destined to be under construction, out of order, and messy for my entire life. And yet, if my heart is fully committed, God will strengthen me. That is what gives me hope for a new day.
I’ve heard a lot about 2008 being all about “new beginnings.” I supposed ‘08 can be about new beginnings because in theory it’s the start of a new cycle (based on 7) etc. You can make of that what you’d like.
I choose to believe that because I serve a God who is searching out to strengthen those who are fully committed to him, I have hope for new beginnings and change as I am made into something glorious. And these are my messy thoughts at 3:22 am.
Surely We Can Change,
Chad
