Some of my fondest memories from college are planted in my time spent in our college’s chorale.
Not only did our choir give me the opportunity to form some of my closest friendship, hone leadership skills, and discover my love for alto lines; it also was a significant factor in my growth in Christ.
Year after year we sang songs equipped with the truth of God's words that were formed around encouraging God’s people.
And my senior year, we sang what was likely my favorite piece of music we performed throughout my entire college career.
“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.”
Revelation 21: 5-6
Adapted from this passage in Revelation, Elaine Hagenberg’s arrangement, “All Things New”, speaks of the hope that is only found in the God of the universe. (Here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNU0Wz2ors ).
The lyrics consistently enforce the notion that Jesus takes what we see as bad and turns it into completed beauty— that He will make all things new in due time.
“Light after darkness, gain after loss
Strength after weakness, crown after cross;
Sweet after bitter, hope after fears
Home after wandering, praise after tears…
… Sight after mystery, sun after rain
Joy after sorrow, peace after pain;
Near after distant, gleam after gloom
Love aftеr wandering, life after tomb.”
So often we can find ourselves caught up in the prior feeling– the darkness, the loss, the weakness, etc. However, as believers we can already begin celebrating our hope of completion that is found in Christ.
Our darkness does turn to light. Our mystery turns to sight. Our sorrow does turn into joy.
But, it’s all because of this simple truth: His tomb became life.
Yet even knowing the truth of His victory and hope, we still find ourselves anxious and worrisome over the small parts of life that, frankly, don’t matter.
This could be many different things: What we’re going to do next weekend, whether or not we’re going to score tickets to see Taylor Swift, or what we’re going to have for dinner.
We also might find ourselves worrying about things such as whether or not the relationship we’re starting is going to work out, if a family member is going to make it through an illness, if we’re going to be able to pay off a mortgage at the end of the month, or if we’re going to find a job to provide for ourselves and/or our family.
We worry about silly things and wildly serious things– but even so,
“Smoke, nothing but smoke. There’s nothing to anything—it’s all smoke. What’s there to show for a lifetime of work, a lifetime of working your fingers to the bone? One generation goes its way, the next one arrives, but nothing changes—it’s business as usual for old planet earth. The sun comes up and the sun goes down, then does it again, and again—the same old round.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2-6 (MSG)
In other words, the world keeps spinning.
I don’t say this to seem heartless, but it's the harsh truth or Ecclesiastes:
We are nothing.
But friends, Christ is everything.
Consider the following passage:
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 12:22-31
We have a God who loves us more than we can possibly imagine, and this is the God who also desires to clothe us in order for us to live to glorify Him.
We are not called to fret over what we will eat or drink. We are not called to worry about anything in this world.
We are called to seek God. And when we seek God, everything will land accordingly.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
So when we eat or drink (and not worry over it), we should then see how we can best glorify the Lord.
Friends, we have no reason to worry, because we have a completed hope found in Christ.
It's not open-ended.
Knowing the source of our hope, we have the opportunity to respond through trust and surrender to the One who makes tomorrow.
I’m not saying I will never worry about anything ever again– I absolutely will. I can guarantee I will find myself worrying about something within the next six hours.
More than ever, my mind has been spinning with fear and doubt regarding things within my life— you are not alone in this.
However, when I feel worry creeping in over something that is but smoke, it is imperative that I remind myself of the hope in Christ.
Because here is the truth: Fear is not from the Lord.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18
So when we fear, may we find comfort in Christ.
When we worry for tomorrow, let us find peace in the maker of the World.
“There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!’. You have put more joy in my heart than they have then their grain and wine abound.”
Psalm 4:6-7
Let us find joy in our Creator and Friend.
Let us rely on Him in all situations.
Let us live according to the calling in which He has placed upon our lives.
Songs for reflection, prayer, and singing:
“Edens” - Amanda Cook
“Fear is not my Future” - Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore
“No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus” - Steffabt Gretzinger
“Lean Back” - Maverick City Music
“Rescue” - Jason Ingram
“No Longer Slaves” - Bethel Music
Comentarios