Tonight I sat in church behind someone who had a cute t-shirt on. It was a WWF t-shirt with a zebra and it said "I've earned my stripes." It was adorable. However, God brought a weekend of seeking Him and personal worship full circle and made that t-shirt a part of my anthem.
I've earned my stripes but He bore them.
I spent part of Saturday morning immersing myself in worship songs, praising my God for all He has done for me. I ended up on YouTube where I found a great video reminding me that We are the Reason that He gave His life. I was struck again of how I take for granted the punishment that I earned but that He endured.
Mentally I know that His beating and death were in lieu of the punishment I deserve. He endured the pain that I might gain the prize. However, the visual imagery of the pain - the whip that tore into His back, the crown of thorns that embedded in His skull, the nails that pierced His hands, the agony that He suffered in love for me - moved me to a place that I haven't been in a long time. It's a humbling thought but sometimes it is too easily forgotten. I don't remember daily that His sacrifice was my gain. I live as though I have the right to do as I please within reason but that isn't the case. Too easily do I forget the pain that gives me peace, the separation that gives me acceptance, the death that covers me in grace, mercy, and the promise of forever. I forget to express my gratitude to Him for saving me from a life without hope and peace. I fail to talk to Him because I take for granted that He knows all I'm going through. I don't share with Him the good in my life but I seek Him out to solve the bad.
I was introduced to a new group this weekend. Their song Can't Get Over You is an amazing worship song. (I linked to the acoustic version because really you just need to sing this as a love song to God.) However, before you can move to the place of complete surrender and focus on Him self must be removed. We didn't earn His mercy or grace; they were a gift extended to us because of His unwavering love. Someday I'll leave this Earth behind and truly turn my eyes to Him. There'll be no distractions, excuses, reasons, or sin separating us. It'll be an eternity to worship Him - 10,000 years and we'll just have begun. There is so much here on Earth that looks to divide me from Him until that day. Yet, if I remind myself of His sacrifice, my eternity, and the job He has called me to do then I won't get over Him anytime soon.
I love the way You love like no other
It's got nothing to do with anything that I do
Time and time again You forgive me
So this time I choose to stay here with You
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
Here in the arms of my Father
Only grace can be found
So I lay my fears down
Nothing is the same anymore
You've changed me from the inside out
Now my heart is beating and it's singing won't You...
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord
I can't get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord
Even through the good and the bad times
You stay the same
So my song will remain
Lord...
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
There's nothing I can't do
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
