NailDriven †

I’ve been reading in Romans, and for some reason as powerful as a book as it is, most of the “ah ha” moments are coming from songs and worship lately. But I’m not complaining. It’s still a good refresher to go through! This morning was Chapter 10 where Paul is talking about the requirements for salvation and that it is a heart thing, that it is about what is “inside”…which I supposed actually goes really well with what I first wanted to post! (”Ah ha” moment just achieved )

This week at Sunday service we sang some good worshipful songs that helped us prepare our hearts for the message. One song that I hadn’t heard before spoke out to me, and more specifically the phrase “I’m giving you my dreams, I’m laying down my rights. I’m giving up my pride for the promise of new life.”

What a message! How many times have I fought with my wife because of my “rights”, my “dreams”, or my “pride”? I can attest that I most likely couldn’t calculate the exact number but I’m sure it’s higher than Christ would like. We are called as Christians to set aside some of the things the world tells us we are entitled too, the world will tell us that we have the “right” for a good life, that we should have “pride”, and to follow our “dreams” (seemingly at all cost). Now I’m not saying that these are bad in and of themselves, there is a time to be proud, I’m proud when my son accomplishes something, when my wife pleases Christ, or when I finish a hard project. I do have a dream for my family to grow in Christ and be strengthened…etc, etc. The thing we have to watch out for is when the “pride”, “dreams”, or “rights” derail what Christ is doing, we need to ensure that the pride we have is placed in the right place, that the rights we stand by are Kingdom rights, and that the dreams we have don’t encourage us to veer from our responsibilities in Christ.

The bottom line is that we all are sinners and if we only had a “just” God would be heading to hell. The good news is that our God is just but also merciful and full of grace but when we accept Him as our savior we also accept the citizenship of heaven and take on new “rights” and rolls of His Kingdom. Make sure that you are willing to and actively practice laying down your “rights” and your “pride” and your “dreams” at His feet! Don’t stop trying in your marriage because of your “right”, or your lost “dream”! Don’t put up walls of bitterness or stubbornness because of your “pride”! Let Christ penetrate all of that and humble yourself to His will!

Be encouraged today to practice laying down your rights, your pride, and your dreams when Christ wants you to! Be willing to let go of what you feel you are entitled too and hold fast to the Kingdom, the promised new life!!

I’m giving you my heart, and all that is within
I lay it all down for the sake of you my King

I’m giving you my dreams, I’m laying down my rights
I’m giving up my pride for the promise of new life

And I surrender, all to you, all to you (2x)

I’m singing You this song, I’m waiting at the cross
And all the world holds dear, I count it all as loss

For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain

(JP)