Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The B Word

Catchy title, right?  But, I'm not going where you think I am with it.  One of my favorite praise songs for the past few years has been Oceans by Hillsong United.  Here's the video in case you are unfamiliar with it:



The lyrics that really caught my attention are these:


Which brings me to my first B Word...


When Mark and I first got married we lived in a border town.  It was beautiful to walk outside of our apartment every morning and gaze at the mountains in Mexico, but I never saw those mountains up close.  Occasionally, we got a group together to cross the border (never in our own car...fyi) and eat a delicious and ridiculously cheap dinner just outside the Texas border, but we always came back to our home (& safe zone) that night.  We didn't venture far into Mexico, it was out of our comfort zone.

When I first heard the song Oceans, I thought it applied mostly to people in the foreign mission field.  To that group of people within our community that travel to South Africa every year, or to our church group (including my Kendall) that travel to El Paso every year.  Yeah, that song was probably just referring to "those" type of people, right?  Then it hit me majorly!  We all have borders we've set up, it's called our comfort zone.  I'm a preacher's kid; I've been in church all of my life.  I've said all the cliche terms you can think of about making Christ the Lord of my life, but have I ever really told him, "Hey, you take me where you want me to go.  If it's out of my comfort zone, I'll make it happen."  Honestly, in my head, it's probably been more like, "I'm a little nervous about what you're whispering in my ear, God.  I'll consider your nudge, and if it's convenient, I might make it happen."

When we sing the lyrics of this song I am telling God, lead me where I am uncomfortable.  Is it to volunteer somewhere where I am reluctant?  Is it to show extra kindness to someone that I avoid?  Is it to take a neighbor in need a meal?  Is is to cash in my savings on a one way ticket to South Africa?  If something just popped in your head, there's a chance that might be it.  Don't set limits with God, let Him lead you where your trust is without borders.


Beloved is a word we don't use very much these days unless we're buying a sappy Valentine or Anniversary card, but it's a term of endearment used over and over in the Bible.  It means "dearly loved."  Luke 3:22 says, "and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”  This is right after Jesus was baptized.  Jesus knew he had pleased his Father, and now it was his mission to get stuff done.  The Bible tells us that we are beloved.  No more worrying about fitting in, or winning Christ over, it's time to accept that we are His beloved and spread the Word to the world that they are beloved, too.


Beginning something new is often the hardest part for me.  Once I have figured out what God is telling me I need to do, acting on it is even harder.  James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says."  Yes, you are saved by your faith, not your works, but effort is required to grow in spiritual maturity.  If there's something on your heart, pray about it.  Pray that God leads you to make a decision, and when he does, act on it!


What makes you brave?  The first lyric in Oceans says, "You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail. And there I find You in the mystery, in oceans deep, my faith will stand."  That's it; faith!  I remember about ten years ago I was wrestling with a career change, and literally pleading with God while I was in the shower to have my answer written in the fog on the bathroom mirror when I got out.  Guess what?  He didn't.  I had to rely on my faith that once I made a decision, it would be OK.

If God is calling you to do something in His name, have the faith to be brave and set it in motion.  1 Chronicles 28:20 says, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished."

Sometimes when you stop by my blog it's lighthearted, sometimes it recipes, but today I took it deep!  This had been on my heart for a while, and after hearing Oceans in the car the other day, I came home and typed this up.  I hope you found some inspiration in it!

Thanks for reading!

Emily

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful song. Beautiful post.

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    1. Thank you, sweet Laura! I hope you have a fantastic day!

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  2. That is my favorite Hillsong song. This post is now my favorite of yours! Beautiful incite.

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    1. Thank you so much! Before I posted it I told my husband it might not be my most popular post, but it was on my heart. Have a great day!

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  3. Oh Emily this was so beautiful. That song, that exact youtube video has been played SO many times by myself. That song has spoken to my core so many times. Even during the time that we had lost our church and I was just trusting that where he was leading us was good. Thanks for sharing your heart.

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    1. I just love that song. It gets me every time! You have definitely pushed beyond your borders many times with the tornado, your church, and Emily's situation. You are such an inspiration, Beth!

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  4. I remember singing this song and how much it moved me the night my two littles were baptized. This is such a challenging post Emily. I am so guilty of not opening myself up too much and I too am always wanting that super clear sign from God on the direction I'm headed. Fear of failure has always been my biggest weakness. Thanks for sharing your heart Emily!

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    1. I was a complete mess when Kendall got baptized...heck, I even get emotional when kids I don't even know get baptized! I'm sure this song was especially moving that day. Thanks for the kind words, Shelly!

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  5. Love this, and it's one of my favorite songs. I know I definitely put up borders around my comfort zone and have to push myself to be "brave." We recently changed churches, and I am having to step out of my comfort zone to meet new people. Have a good Thursday!

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    1. I remember you saying that you were going to try a new Bible Study soon. Like I said, sometimes just beginning is the hardest part! I hope it's going well!

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  6. Such a beautiful post! That song is one of my favorites <3

    Blessings,
    Edye | Http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

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  7. Oceans is one of my favorite songs! I love this acoustic version - so beautiful. Your post is very convicting for me because I struggle with just waiting and listening for God to speak to me and then having the courage to do what I am suppose to do. Thank you so much sharing.

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  8. I think we all struggle with that. Sometimes it's hard to decipher God's voice over our own (or others). I definitely wish that He'd just spell it out on the mirror occasionally...although, I might not always like what He says. :)

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  9. Oceans is my favorite Hillsong song! It moves me. This is a beautiful post, friend.

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  10. This song and post was pretty much the best way I can think of to kick off my Saturday! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us Emily and forcing me to take a look inside myself a little bit (forcing probably not a good word but I think you get what I mean!! HA) I was inspired by this post, thanks! I'm off to look up more Hillsong! Have a great weekend!!

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