An Impactful, Moving Song

"people need to hear the truth of this. it's a challenge to me, it's a challenge to the church. just pursue Jesus and rid ourselves of idols". originally written and sung by Ross King.

"take a break from all the plans that you have made... and sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper"

"anything i put before my God is an idol
anything i want with all my heart is an idol
anything i can't stop thinking of is an idol
and anything that i give all my love is an idol"

i have to agree with Needham that this is the kind of song that when you hear it, it changes you. there is so much depth to what may at first seem like simple words. it's so impactful to me because i am reminded of God's call to believers to offer their whole selves, their whole lives as a living sacrifice to him. this is their act of worship. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1) it is so easy for us to make idols out of lesser things and not even realize it. we have an equal tendency to simply view worship as singing songs of praise to God. and don't get me wrong, that is part of it. but i like the message behind this song, which is ironic in and of itself... the singing of a song that is proclaiming how worship is more than one... i've been learning this lesson lately from Jesus even as i have been reconnecting spiritually during times of worship at the Underground. i remember the first Sunday back (7/1) after my long 6-month break and just feeling so close to God during worship. it was almost like a reunion with Him, a much needed return visit after being away for so long. i apologized for the long separation and delayed homecoming. i cried and reached my hands up to Him, and He was there with me. this singing of praise and gratitude to our God is worship. but it is only a part of it. worship is so much bigger than a song or poem of adoration. it is all of who we are in relation to God. it's who we consider ourselves to be in relation to Christ and how we act because of it. worship is giving - our money, our time, our love,  our patience, our advice, our thoughts, our homes, our food, our stories, our everything. worship is humility - seeing Jesus, our humble servant King, and  faithfully working to embody our Lord because we know He is worth it. it's making the commitment to not only long for Christ's character because we know He is altogether beautiful, but to intentionally walk alongside the Holy Spirit towards our predestined end - a radiant, spotless bride sanctified unto the Lord. worship is sacrifice - it's not holding anything back from God. it's setting all of our desires, plans, successes, failures, aspirations, concerns, doubts, and fears upon the Lamb, the only One who can bear them. for me, it might look like putting my dreams of a masters in public health at the alter or laying down my fear of vulnerability at the feet of Jesus. worship is the right response of a child of God to his Maker, his Father, his Savior, His friend. tears are often shed because God breaks through to our hearts, and we cannot help but be in humble awe of Him, as we give ourselves fully to him as the living sacrifice he has made us and calls us to be.