Spent the weekend with my daughter and her family which meant going to church with them. I love their church, the preaching and the preachers. I’m grateful they fellowship there. They’re involved in the community and it is good. The messages of the past couple of years have focused on the Story of God and how our identity is to be found in Christ. We sang this song today and I want to share it here.
I’ve followed the Olympics the last couple of days and enjoyed London’s staging of the opening ceremony. I did miss the lighting of the torch, something that caused some distress between my daughter and me, but we’re past that…for now. I enjoy watching the Olympics, the singular focus and efforts of the athletes culminating in their events, the amazing wins and heartbreaking losses. For a brief period of time, we’re one world watching the same stage. Soon enough, though, life will come back into focus and we will move on. Today’s Olympians will fade into history; the winners taking their place in the record books that will eventually be shelved; the losers truly fading into obscurity.
That may be why I chose this song for today… to provide perspective. Celebrity lasts for a moment. Strength and ability will fail. I know I will fail. Because of that, I must need understand my identity as a child of God. It’s not dependent on my efforts, my abilities. It’s dependent on Christ’s finished work. Such relief.
Light of the World, Forever Reign.
You are good, You are good
When there’s nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting
Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I’m letting go
Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus
Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
All Things Elda 