I don’t feel like I have much to offer right now, this time of year and all its transitions set me on edge (anxiety) and put me in a fog of irritability (depression). So let’s just pretend we are sitting together over a cup of coffee, chatting about Jesus and in the words of a friend, “Let the furniture of our hearts be rearranged.”
I want to introduce you to the song “As You Find Me” (Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, c 2018 Hillsong Publishing). I first heard it during COVID shutdown, surfing through YouTube watching video after video of song stories (i.e., how a song came into being, what it meant to the author, what it has meant to the artists who sing it, etc.) “As You Find Me” has quite a story of healing and proclamation, but I’ll let you look those stories up for yourself. The lyrics spoke to me then and still do time after time when the winds of life make me feel like a tree that won’t or can’t straighten itself up again. I need the multiple messages and scripture reminders this song speaks to my spirit. As an act of worship and obedience, I connect with Jesus through this song and “let the furniture of my heart be rearranged.”
Below are the lyrics. I’m going to tag on the scriptures they make me meditate on and the true promises of Christ that take the lies captive while I worship (2 Corinthians 10:5). Hope this song devo helps you weather your storm.
Verse 1
I've been strong
And I've been broken within a moment
I've been faithful
And I've been reckless at every bend
I've held everything together
And watched it shatter
I've stood tall and I have crumbled
In the same breath
This verse nailed all the stuff I was feeling during shutdown. It still communicates how I sometimes feel as a leader, as a mom, as a teammate who hates to fail those I serve and love, as a created being trying to follow my Creator well. The sentiment of “both/and” couldn’t be communicated much more aptly (Google it, it’s a leadership principle).
Questions:
What are you strong in and what are you broken in at the same time?
What are you faithful in and what are you reckless with AT THE SAME TIME while you walk with Jesus?
Own it! We have to let Him teach us in our quicksand! Because He said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:29)
Verse 2
I have wrestled
And I have trembled toward surrender
Chased my heart adrift
And drifted home again
Plundered blessing
Till I've been desperate to find redemption
And every time I turn around
Lord You're still there
These are the words of so many people we know from the Old Testament! (Jacob always leaps to mind for me first here. You could start reading about him in Genesis 25:19.) But the reason God has preserved their stories is not primarily for us to tell ourselves we’re normal, it’s okay, these are the struggles every human has, the point is God’s goodness in spite of our sin! (Romans 5:8)
Ponder: Pick one of the word pictures from this verse and remember how it illustrates a chapter of your walk with God. Think about what God taught you about Himself in that season, what He taught you about yourself, and praise Him for his goodness to you!
Pre-Chorus
I was found
Before I was lost (Rom 8:29-30)
I was Yours
Before I was not (Matt 18:12-14)
There’s grace to spare
For all my mistakes (2 Cor 12:9)
And that part just wrecks me (Isaiah 53:6)
Chorus
And I know I don't deserve this kind of love
Somehow this kind of love is who You are (Micah 7:18-19)
It's a grace I could never add up
To be somebody You still want (Eph 2:4-6)
But somehow
You love me as You find me (2 Peter 3:9)
Verse 3
Who am I
To think Your glory needs my praises
But if this borrowed breath is Yours Lord
Take it all
You are faithful and You are gracious
And I'm just grateful
To think You don’t need a single thing
And still You want my heart (Acts 17:24-25, Psalm 51:15-17)
Question: What have your interactions with God this past week showed that you think He wants from you? Do those priorities line up with what Scripture says? Don’t be afraid to get real with Jesus, He promises “A bruised reed He will not break.” (Matt 12:20)
Tag
You love me as You find me (Heb 4:14-16)
Your love’s too good to leave me here (Rom 5:1-8)
You love me as You find me (Psalm 139:1-12)
Your love’s too good to leave me here (Phil 2:13)
Bridge
If You want my heart
I won't second guess
'Cause I need Your love
More than anything (Matt 4:4)
I'm in
I'm Yours
Your love's too good to leave me here (James 1:2-4, 23-24)
Your love's too good to leave me (Psalm 23)
I pray your day is filled with messages from Him. Let Him rearrange your furniture. Thanks for the coffee.
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