by Rebecca Darting
originally published in the Winter 1999 YLCF Journal
Something to Think About
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -John 10:10, NIV
This verse highlights what has been for me one of the most profound revelations of my Christian life thus far. The revelation is this: God’s way is good!
I went through a time in my life when I thought God made rules to ruin my fun. I think that this fallacy can affect us very negatively whether we are trying to live our lives to please God or whether we are rebelling. Either way, the actual fallacy is our perception of God’s character. My dear sisters, hear me. Our Father loves you. He truly does. If you do not understand that (and all of us struggle with it at times), you can never understand His commandments.
Because He loves us, He desires abundant life for us—what one of my pastors calls “life with a plus.” Satan has quite effectively clouded our eyes to what is good for us. For example, why are there three dozen secular radio stations available to us—most of them featuring destructive or self-centered music—but only one or maybe two Christian stations that are full of hope and joy? It is because our fallen nature is all too easily attracted to fallen pleasures. But these pleasures do not satisfy.
God desires to fill us with true joy. When we follow His way, we are satisfied and we are filled with holiness (which is another word for “wholeness”).
“Phillips, Craig, and Dean” sings a powerful song called “Crucified with Christ” that wows me every time I hear it. “And to think I ignored what really mattered,” they sing. “‘Cause I thought the sacrifice would be too great/ But when I finally reached the point of giving in/ I found the cross was calling even then/ And even though it took dying to survive/I’ve never felt so much alive” (italics added). (Footnote: “Crucified with Christ” by Randy Phillips, Denise Phillips, Dave Clark, and Don Koch)
God did not come to weigh us down and ruin our lives. He came to set us free to the abundant, joyful life He always intended for us. There may be some things that are hard initially, but the more we learn to trust the loving heart of God, the more joyfully we will do what He says.
Music Notes
The Jesus Record, Rich Mullins and a ragamuffin band (Contemporary/Pop)
Rundown: Side one features nine songs about Jesus, that Rich recorded on a battery operated recorder just nine days before his death in September of 1997. They are a heartfelt tribute to the memory of this humble man, who had such a beautiful soul. Side two features professionally recorded “re-makes” of the same songs by several of Rich’s friends-people like Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Ashley Cleveland, and more.
Highlights: The deeply honest “Hard to Get” acknowledges the times we can’t feel or hear God and wonder, “Where are You?” The song ends by pensively saying, “I can’t see how You’re leading me unless You’ve led me to where I’m lost enough to let myself be led.” Just like a lover, God woos us to Himself by the delight of distance. “Nothing is Beyond You” (sung by Amy Grant) is an expression of awe and trust. It is filled with a sense of the bottomless depths of our God. “Jesus.” is a wistful longing for a personal experience with the living Christ. The writer reads the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and wants Him to “write me into Your story.”
Also recommended: Homeless Man: The Restless Heart of Rich Mullins (a first class video that remembers Rich and inspires our faith)
The Ministry Years, Vol. 1, Keith Green (‘70s style)
Rundown: This two CD anthology introduces you to some of the most passionate, intense music you will ever hear. Green (now deceased) had a heart absolutely aflame for Jesus Christ.
Highlights: “Your Love Broke Through” expresses how God took a life grasping for “that crazy missing part” and transformed it by the power of His love. “The Victor” laughs in the face of Satan because Jesus triumphed over him when He rose from the dead. “There is a Redeemer” is a pure praise hymn to the God who sent us Jesus and left His Spirit with us “till the work on earth is done.” “Asleep in the Light” is a jolt awake to all of us as Christians—do we fatten ourselves on God’s riches and forget the perishing people that surround us? “To Obey is Better than Sacrifice” urges a heart right with God. He doesn’t want things; He wants us.
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