With spring arriving, summer around the corner, and plans being made left and right, the busy-ness of life can cloud out what is really important. On my way home from work the other day (totally psyched about Spring Break) a song came on that just pierced me. And yes, I'll admit I listened to it over and over and over again, singing it with all that I could muster...you know, like one of those people you see at the stoplight just singing at the top of their lungs, really workin' it out. That was me.
Here are the lyrics to Billy and Cindy Foote's "Rescue the Perishing":
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave
Weep o're the erring one, lift up the fallen
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save
Church open your eyes once more
And see what Christ died for
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness
Chords that are broken will vibrate once more
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save
Church open your eyes once more
And see what Christ died for
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save
As we're playing our songs, while we're singing them well
Have we forgotten the lost or the reality of Hell?
If we say we love God, want to see his will done
Will we offer our lives or just the songs we have sung?
Do we even care?
When will we care?
Wow. At the risk of my words ruining the power behind the lyrics, I want to share what this song did to me.
This song reminded me to open my eyes to the true purpose of my life. I was not put on this earth to get a higher education, to marry an amazing man and have babies, to have a successful career, to enjoy vacations and a great social life. I was put on this earth to worship my Savior, to glorify his name, and to share his love. However, do I remember this on a daily basis? No. Do I remember to share Christ with my friends, co-workers, strangers? Not like I should. Do I get caught up in the values of society? Yes, more than I'd like to admit.
Jesus saves. Even on this very weekend, do I really grasp what it means that God sent his only son to die on the cross to pay for MY sins, my messed up self? Do I care enough to shout it from the rooftops? To even whisper it to all who cross my path? Do I show the love, grace, and mercy that was shown to me that day and every day since?
Hmm, talk about shame and guilt...yet God sees me as holy and blameless. I am loved and it is finished.
Tomorrow, during the Easter service my focus won't be on singing songs well, but on offering ALL of me to my God. I want to remember why Christ died, what it means for my life, and how I can live in a way that others can't help but see God and know him.
