Where would I be
It may seem like a cop-out for the worship leader to write about a song she loves every time it is her turn to write the weekly blog, but I can't help it! I love this new song we are singing in worship! It's called "Where Would I Be" by The Belonging Co. I was struck by the song's message from the very first line when I heard it back in the fall.
We are always looking forward to what is next, the next birthday, the next promotion, the next life milestone, the next new gadget, the next vacation, etc. Our faith challenges us to be hopeful and expectant for the things to come. Scripture tells us that even if we knew what was coming next, we might not believe it because it would simply be too great. But in our hopefulness, there is something so precious about pausing in our busy lives to reflect on where we have come and what the journey has been like to get to this moment.
There are moments in our lives I'm sure we all wish we could change or decisions we made that we would like a re-do. I have certainly made my fair share of poor choices where I'm sure God was looking at me with His palm on His face, just shaking His head, thinking, "You always have to do things the hard way, don't you April?" Yes, God. I do. By the way, God, You made me fearfully and wonderfully stubborn. Yet time and time again, God brought so much beauty out of those choices and continued to shower me with unconditional love, even when I did not deserve it.
Without the love and forgiveness that God shows to me time and time again, I would be so lost. Without the hope I have in Him, and because of Him, I don't know that I could see much value in living sometimes. This world cannot fulfill me, nor will it ever show me grace and mercy consistently without wanting something in return. But God's grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, and love are free and will never be "out of stock."
Scripture in Titus 3 reminds us of where we have been and how we got where we are today:
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated, and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
I know this scripture starts with pointing out how we used to be, but frankly, I need to be saved from all of that daily because I’m not perfect and I must continuously work at living like Christ.
With that, it helps to begin my day with a thank you to God for all He has done in my life and to know He has so much more in store for me. A thankful heart cannot be without humility. That humility is what allows God to work in us and through us.
This song is a musical thank you note to God. Reading the lyrics without any music can be a powerful prayer to start the day with. I want to challenge you to spend the first few moments of your morning thanking God, not necessarily for the tangible things in your life but for the intangible. The things money can't buy. We can work more hours, take higher-paying jobs, or invest our money and watch it grow. That can buy us stuff. What God has to offer and how He works in our lives is not something we can order on Amazon.
Begin your mornings over the next week just saying thank you to God. We can’t say thank you enough.
Where would I be without You
Where would I be without Your love
I'm amazed by all You've done
Oh, Jesus where would I be without You
Where would I be without Your love
I can't say thank You enough
Go be a blessing,
April Bergez
Worship Leader