Many times over the craziness of the past two years \u2013 and as I face a brand new one \u2013 I\u2019ve found myself considering the concept of time. How we, as individuals, move forward. We live our lives a year, a day, a moment at a time. Able to enjoy our experiences, but unable to stop them from happening. Able to recount what we\u2019ve been through, but unable to relive it. For better or for worse.<\/p>\n
This song is one that comforts my soul as I remind myself that our God stands outside of time. Scripture calls Him the \u201cAlpha and the Omega\u201d (Revelation 21:6). He is the beginning and the end. He is there when our hearts are awakened to Him, and He will be there at the end of all things when we are forever glorified in His presence. Let\u2019s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of these lyrics.<\/p>\n
Starts and Ends <\/strong>by Hillsong UNITED<\/em><\/p>\n My soul thirsts for things I can’t explain<\/strong><\/em> Salvation is a beautiful gift. Resurrection is simply unfathomable. Dry bones coming to life. It\u2019s impossible, yet it\u2019s where we are. That which was dead has been quickened to a pulsating lifeblood once again. A mysterious longing in our souls fulfilled by the only One who could satiate it. Jesus Christ, our promised \u201cSpirit-man.\u201d Our flesh betrays us daily, but Christ.<\/p>\n When real life and peace won’t make amends<\/strong><\/em> Ever feel like you’re stuck at square one? Despite all your best efforts, everything feels in disarray. Unravelling. Your most clearly defined plans are just rubble. In this space is where we find the truest peace. Not of ourselves. Or our accomplishments. Our peace comes from a Comforter who walks with us through the troubles and trials of this world. He leads us beside still waters. He stands in our place on our behalf. When it\u2019s broken and shattered, He gently restores our soul.<\/p>\n And my soul finds rest<\/em><\/strong> Theologians call this transaction the \u201cgreat exchange.\u201d The grace of God exchanges our sin for Christ\u2019s righteousness. \u201cWhile we were sinners, Christ died for us\u201d (Romans 5:8). Despite our best efforts to run, He pursues us. It makes no sense. Our hope is centered on His work on our behalf. Redemption has drawn near to a broken people through Jesus Christ, our Savior.<\/p>\n Lay your burden down upon<\/strong><\/em> This is the most repeated phrase in the song. The reason, I think, is because of the weight of the word \u201cburden.\u201d It carries with it so many connotations. An obvious spiritual meaning – our burden of sin has been taken by Christ and forgiven. However, I think it also speaks to our emotional and mental burdens. Past experiences that haunt us.<\/p>\n Present circumstances that wear us down. Anxiety, stress, worry, disappointment can all be burdens that we carry. Listen to these words and make them your prayer. He bears our burdens. All of them.<\/p>\n Jesus my rest in peace<\/em><\/strong> My favorite line in the song, simply because of the word \u201cin.\u201d Jesus, my rest IN peace. It\u2019s a traditional statement associated with the end of a person\u2019s life in the middle of a modern worship song. Historically, the Church has used it to wish someone into the eternal peace that is offered by Christ. While it\u2019s true that Jesus is our rest AND peace, here on earth, we find eternal peace in a Kingdom where there will be no tears. No sorrow. Only joy. Only good.<\/p>\n I surrender all<\/strong><\/em> Surrender should be our response. Every time. Our lives are to be lived for the glory of the One who has bought our freedom. He has delivered us from ourselves. Now, He walks with us. He sustains us. He strengthens us. He continues to rescue us. We display His love to others. We are filled with wonder and joy and we consider the cost He has paid to demonstrate His love.<\/p>\n Jesus is our \u201cevery good thing.\u201d He goes before us, He is Immanuel, our God who is with us, He is the good that is ahead.<\/p>\n Want to learn more about Living in the Fullness of God? Join us in person<\/a> or online<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many times over the craziness of the past two years \u2013 and as I face a brand new one \u2013 I\u2019ve found myself considering the concept of time. How we,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":104546,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,28,106,31],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-102397","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-magazine","8":"category-message-series","9":"category-spiritual-growth","10":"category-worship"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nIn my bones a beckoning to pray<\/strong><\/em>
\nIf my heart is a battleground<\/strong><\/em>
\nMy defenses run both ways<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe flesh is a beggar and thief<\/strong><\/em>
\nBut there is a Spirit-man awakening me<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhen all these starts<\/strong><\/em>
\nStart feeling like these ends<\/strong><\/em>
\nLike the world is unravelling<\/strong><\/em>
\nAnd I’m bound to come undone<\/strong><\/em>
\nThere is a Shepherd, a Priest<\/strong><\/em>
\nThere is a Comforter who comforts me<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhere it makes no sense<\/em><\/strong>
\nThere the blood sets me free<\/em><\/strong>
\nAll my old regrets<\/em><\/strong>
\nAll my brokenness<\/em><\/strong>
\nAll my failures redeemed<\/em><\/strong>
\nAnd it feels like grace<\/em><\/strong>
\nWhere I stacked my shame<\/em><\/strong>
\nThere the Cross stands for me<\/em><\/strong>
\nAll the things I’ve done<\/em><\/strong>
\nAll the times I’ve run<\/em><\/strong>
\nAll my dead ends redeemed<\/em><\/strong>
\nAnd it looks like hope<\/em><\/strong>
\nWhere my heart was broke<\/em><\/strong>
\nAnd His heart broke for me<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDown upon Him<\/strong><\/em>
\nLay your burden down<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\nMy reconciler<\/em><\/strong>
\nYou’re my every good thing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAll I’m living for<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re my every good thing<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re my amnesty<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re my split wide sea<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re my every good thing<\/strong><\/em>
\nAll my days and nights<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re my death to life<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re the wonder I breathe<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re my can’t explain<\/strong><\/em>
\nFirst and last refrain<\/strong><\/em>
\nYou’re my every good thing<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n