Tuesday, January 13, 2009

All At War

Okay, so my good friend Matt already posted about this band, but I was listening to it today and this reflection came to mind. This is a song from the Downhere album “Ending Is Beginning” by Germain/Martel called All At War. It reminds me a lot of Romans 7,
"The law is good, then. The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master. I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it...But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do evil things...Oh, what a miserable person that I am! Who will save me from this life of that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."
Here's the lyrics:

I'm learning to stand the more that I fall down
It's the law of inversion, and it's all turned around
And I'm staggered by the clash inside my soul
So purposed for good but inclined for evil

It's justice and mercy, the old dichotomies
All along the front lines of my heart in both doubt and belief
The sinner and saint, the old arch enemies
All at war in me

I was born depraved but created for the divine
With death in my bones, in my heart eternal life
I'd love for Eden, but I'd kill for Rome
I'm native in a land that is not my home

You are the beginning, and You are the end
Into your great reversal, I am born again
A beautiful redemption, You leverage even sin
In me your final victory, I know You'll win

Into light, from the shadows
Into life, from the grave
Into love, into love

Thank God for His power in our lives through Jesus Christ to overcome sin. I am nothing on my own, but, in Christ, I am more than a conqueror.

If you would like more info on this band, check out their website downhere.com.
downhere-ending is beginning

Monday, January 5, 2009

Be Who You Are

The second chapter of this book is titled, "Who You Are Is More Important Than What You Do." How often we get caught up in this performance driven culture that says you have do this and that in order to be a success. The truth is, God made each and every one of us unique. He gave us each talents and abilities unlike those around us. Still, I find myself comparing what I do with others, as if I'm doing a good job only when my efforts are equitable or eclipse what their doing. What I must never forget is that God has called me to being not doing. The question is not, "What am I doing?, but, "What am I being?". If I am truly being what He has instructed, called, equipped and empowered me to be then the doing will come naturally. Not only will it come naturally, but it will also be unique to who I am.

Don't let what you do define you. Be what God has called you to be. My responsibility as a husband and father, moreover as a Christian in general, is to be an example for everyone I come in contact with, that they may see in me Christ's love and compassion for lost humanity and in turn be inspired to the same.

Lord, help me to be all you want me to be, not just do things because it's what my job demands.