I love music. I think I said that in the other post also, but it's the truth. I love the way that there are all types for all different situations/emotions/etc. I was listening to Hillsong the other day at work and the words "...my purpose remains, the art of losing myself in bringing you praise" hit me differently then words that just come out of my mouth when I hear the song. I thought, "what does it look like to lose yourself in praise?" So naturally as I always do I have been pondering what that would look like. Or if it is even possible. How can someone go day in and day out praising God? Not that He isn't worthy of that, but can it be done by a human.
The next thing I thought about is why is it important that we praise God all day, everyday? Is it because I call myself a Christian and I feel that is what I am supposed to do? Sometimes, yes. Sad to say it but it's the truth. Sometimes I don't feel worthy enough to praise the God who created me and who saved me from death. Sometimes I just cloud myself with things that don't matter and waste my time and I just forget to praise God. Once again, it sounds rough, but the truth isn't always pretty. That comes from a lack of focusing on Christ and the Cross and that is the most fundamental element of the Gospel. Focus on Christ, stay on the "straight and narrow," lose site of Christ, sink in the water like Peter. (Matt. 14 22-36)
No matter how I feel from day in to day out, I must stay focused on Christ. Not holding onto that principle takes me places that I don't need to be and allows Satan to attack and take hold of me. I was bought. Brought out of death. Placed into life. I didn't deserve it. Nobody does. The point isn't whether or not we deserve it...the point is that it was done. God loved me so much that He sent His one and only son to this earth and had Him die in my place so that I could be alive in Him. If that isn't worthy of praise then I don't know what is.
That was a bit of a rabbit trail. My purpose in life should be to praise God throughout the day. Not because I am supposed to but because of what He has done for me. Not only does praising Him throughout the day keep me focused on the Gospel, but it is also an outward testimony to others who don't know about the victory that is in Christ. Both are equally important because we weren't commanded to come to Him and then keep it to ourselves. So our outward praise is a witness to others. People watch us whether we like it or not. Here recently I haven't done the best job at showing my testimony to others. It's because of this. I don't do this, but my heart desires to. So I'm working on it.
I'm really blessed to be where I am at in life. I have friends who are there for me whenever I feel unworthy to be called a child of God. They are there to encourage me and remind me that no matter what I do, it doesn't push me closer to God, or if I do something that isn't pleasing to Him that it doesn't push me away.
2 comments:
that's a good summary for myself too. I've been encouraged by 1 Peter 2:9-12 recently. It talks about the people of God as sojourners, or exiles. I have to remind myself that this is only a pit stop, and we need to decide if we are going to look ahead to what God has promised us or settle here and wait it out. Sometimes I'll find myself getting too complacent and notice my lack of motivation. I can only pray to God to refill it all, because nothing I do of myself is fruitful. Psalm 139.
oh yeah, interfacelift.com :-)
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