“I will
rise when He calls my name. . .” (Chris Tomlin)
The
words to this famous Chris Tomlin Song “I will Rise” echoed throughout the
church building this past Sunday as I stood among friends worshiping
together. As the music whirled around my head, I remembered a word of advice
someone gave me once: “don’t sing the words unless you mean them.”
This
recollection of quotes was strange in the context of the song, but I realized
how weak I was singing this song of triumph, life, liberty, hope, love, and
grace. I was spouting out lyrics of a song about the day I’ll be forever
ushered into the presence of the Most High God who gave Himself for me like I sing
a song about monkeys to children I watch. When I started to listen to the
words, truly listen, my heart started knocking against my chest because I couldn’t
contain my joy in the rhythm of the song being played. My perfect, holy, and
righteous God is going to call my
name one day.
This roll
call won’t be to banish me from His sight, but to welcome me into His presence forever. I’m humbled by that thought
and left in awe at His name. He is going to call me, Rebecca Thomas, a girl who
has sinned countless times and will sin in the future. My name will be called
because He loves and cherishes me.
Not only do
I get to be love Him and be loved by Him for all of eternity, but He’s also even
wiping out my pain, shame, and suffering. NO MORE. No more watching people who
you love slowly waste away. NO MORE feeling hurt and alone. NO MORE worry,
pain, tears, heartache, or struggles.
We get to
be called into His eternal family forever, and that truth is something to
celebrate and be hopeful about. So, next time you have a memory lapse about the
hope and knowledge of being called into this eternal glory, remember 2
Corinthians 4:16-18, which states, “Therefore
we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are
being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving
for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what
is unseen is eternal” (NIV).
Living Life Together,
Rebecca Thomas
*Music Lyrics by Chris Tomlin
So thanks for getting me all choked up ;o). But truly a beautiful sentiment. I can't wait for the moment when God, who has seen the worst of my sins and shortcomings, says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant..."
ReplyDelete