Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Alone Is So Exclusive

We've recently begun singing a song at our worship gatherings called "You are God Alone." I've loved the message of this song because it's all about God and has very little to do with me. The other day, a friend commented to me that he really didn't like one of the lines, which says "You are not a god in need of anything we can give; by Your plan, that's just the way it is." Particularly the words "that's just the way it is" didn't sit well with him. I agree. I think for all of us, whether we're pursuing God or not, we have a difficult time with this phrase.

Why is that? I believe it's because of the idea that we have absolutely zero control over the situation. If we're bumped off an airline flight and can't get a new flight out for 8 hours, the last thing we want to hear the airline say is, "I'm sorry, that just the way it is." It's like saying, "tough luck pal. The situation can't be changed, so just deal with it." We like the idea that we have some level of control over our life, even our approach to God. And so to say that God doesn't need anything from us, and that's just the way it is, is hard to do.

This is a reminder for us about the true nature of worship, and specifically our adoration of God. We have so often made worship about our response to God for what He does for us. This isn't a bad thing, necessarily, but too often it becomes the entire content of our worship.
"God, you're so wonderful because you do this..."
"God I love you because you did this..."

Isn't the point of worship for us to say, "God, you're wonderful" Period. "God, I love you" Period?

One author, Albert Day, says it like this, "We never really adore Him, until we arrive at the moment when we worship Him for what He is in Himself...Then we adore Him, regardless of whether any personal benefit is in anticipation or not. Then it is not what He has done for us or what we expect Him to do for us, but what He has been from eternity before we existed, and what He is now even if we were not here to need Him, and what He will be forever whether that "forever" includes us or not- it is that which captivates us and evokes from us the selfless offering of self in worship. That is pure adoration. Nothing less is worthy of the name."

So, it may not be easy for me, but it is good for me to say, "That just the way it is." It puts me in a place of complete surrender to Him. Which in my mind, is a very good place to be.

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

Journey on-

Nick

No comments: