Recently, I've been teaching a Life Group for Men that has two foundational themes for every topic or discussion we have. The first theme is "Live Life With A Purpose: Glorify God" and the second theme is "Leave A Legacy". So these two ideas have been on my mind a lot and this song continues to come up during my prayer times. Specifically, the second line of verse two (...my purpose remains...). I think the second line is a dual 'purpose' transition line. It completes the statement (rearranged by me) to say that "my purpose remains to put Your will above all else" and it also moves on to say that "my purpose is to lose myself". The writer then does it again by rolling in the thought of "losing myself while bringing You praise". While I love the entire song, I think this verse is the most lyrically creative that I've seen in many years.
Back to the thought of Purpose; this verse rings to strongly with me because I have chosen to submit to God's will in every area of my life (Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Financial, Relational, etc.) and I have committed to finding ways to make me less noticeable but make Jesus more visible every day.
For a while, I read and sang that line about losing myself in bringing God praise with the perception that it was about the euphoric feelings I have when I sing worship songs from the depths of my soul. I hope you know the times I'm talking about. I long pour my heart out to Him in repentance, in praise and thanksgiving, and re-affirm the devotion of my life, my wife, my kids, my thoughts, my hopes and actions to God. I must admit, I hunger for those worship experiences when nothing else matters except being in God's presence. I am addicted to those feelings, the blessings, the God moments. I love being overwhelmed by His glory and power. I love 'losing' myself.
But as good as all that feels, I have come to the realization that the point of worship is not to make me feel good. It is because God is worthy of my praise. He is God! He created this world and all that is in it. He is holy, righteous and just! He placed all the stars in the heavens. He caused all this to exist with just His words. He is in control of literally billions of things every second. Yet he knows me! He cares for me (and all of us)! He knows the trivial things like the number of hairs on my head and He know my sin. He knows my thoughts, my needs, my desires, my hurts, and He cares enough for us that he gave His Son for us. Jesus suffered so severely that few of us can even comprehend it. He paid the redemptive price for all humanity in one instant! He made it possible to reconnect with God, our Father, on a personal level the moment He breathed His last breath on the cross! There is nothing I can ever hope to do in my own power that can remotely compare to that.
So, what is my purpose? I will borrow the words of Paul, "I must decrease so that Christ may increase." For me to really live in God's will I must become less visible, less recognized, less important. Jesus must be inherently obvious in my daily life.
My Prayer: God, let people see and hear less of me and more of You. As I give you control of my life, my heart and soul, I pray that you consume every part of me from the inside out. Help me to continually lose myself for You. In Jesus' name.
I've posted the lyrics for the entire song below for context.
From the Inside Out by Seventh Day Slumber
A Thousand times I’ve failed
Still your mercy remains
Should I stumble again
I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending your glory goes beyond all fame
Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing you praise
Everlasting your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart and my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love you from the inside out
Everlasting your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise from the inside out
oh My soul cries out
My heart and my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love you from the inside out
Everlasting your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise from the inside out
My soul cries out
Everlasting your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise from the inside out
My soul cries out
Oh, My soul Cries Out
