Sweetly Broken

Posted on November 15, 2014 by
It is amazing how songs can move you deep in your heart. There are many songs that just break my heart. Amazing Grace is one. I can’t help but be overwhelmed every time I hear it:

Ooh, then there is “The Impossible Dream,” from “Man of La Mancha:”
To dream … the impossible dream …
To fight … the unbeatable foe …
To bear … with unbearable sorrow …
To run … where the brave dare not go …
To right … the unrightable wrong …
To love … pure and chaste from afar …
To try … when your arms are too weary …
To reach … the unreachable star …
This is my quest, to follow that star …
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far …
To fight for the right, without question or pause …
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause …
And I know if I’ll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm,
when I’m laid to my rest …
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach … the unreachable star …

That one sends shivers up my bones! Every time I hear this song I look to Heaven and cry, “Father, this is my song to you!” Yeah, I used Gomer’s version because I always enjoyed this little snippet.
Oh my, I just thought of another song! It goes back to the wonder years as I was growing up. Every Sunday as my mother prepared our dinner that we would feast on after church, she would always put on six albums of artists that I grew to love. I would listen to Ed Ames; The Ames Brothers; John Gary; and of course, Andy Williams! I can’t help it, but I am deeply moved by “Moon River”!

If I could produce any tears, they would be streaming down my face as I listen to that song!
But right now I am thinking of another song that melts my heart and will inevitably cause me to fall to my knees!

What is it about Jesus’ cross that moves me so? I love my Lord and the fact that he willingly sacrificed Himself, suffered such traumatic torture; endured such pain; all for the sake of humanity. Even the Psalmist asked, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Why do you bother with us? Why do you take a second look our way?” (Psalm 8:4).
As we are drawn into worship, we have to understand that it is not something we can choose to do, we are compelled by the Spirit of God. He alone draws us to worship. He alone moves our hearts to Lovingly adore our King. As one writer put it, “Worship begins and ends with God.” I believe it was Richard Foster who said, “Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of our Father.”
Listen to that song again and look at the lyrics:
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
Chorus:
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

Then I listened to Chris Tomlin sing, “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone):
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Read those lyrics again; listen to those songs. Allow them to move on your soul and open your heart for the Spirit of God to move and shape your life. Don’t listen to them casually, allow your heart to be moved and shaken. Surrender yourself to the worship of your Father!

Nickolas
With these Morning Messages, I take you on guided tours to, as Bunyan described, the Celestial City. At times we linger at corners familiar and unseen. And explore the depths of our faith along the way.
The trail is long, but there’s no hurry. Though we do need to stock up on supplies for the way, and that’s where I need your help. If you enjoy these messages, please consider becoming a contributing member of this tour group. It will be very much appreciated.
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