losing myself in bringing you praise.

over the past few years, i've learnt that following God is probably one of the toughest things we face each day. I remember when i first became a christian at the age of 11. I was quite young then and I have to say I didn't understand anything. The idea of following God appealed to me because it looked like the easiest way of life, you get to live for like 60-70 years, die and then get to live for eternity in heaven, WHY WOULDN'T THAT APPEAL TO AN 11 YEAR OLD?

Since then, i've learnt alot about God and what being in a relationship with him is like and what it costs. Understanding how my relationship with God would grow happened through a worship song. The song was 'from the inside out', if you've never listened to it before you're seriously missing out. I believe for me it sums up alot about what we should be saying everyday of our lives.

"My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame."

The second verse I believe is so powerful as it talks about losing ourselves in bringing him praise and putting his will above ours. How can we possibly live for God if our will comes first. As the song says, we need to let God consume us from the inside out, this means listening to what God has to say for our lives. This doesn't mean we have to leave behind our passions and dreams, God wants to use our passions and dreams but he wants to use them according to his will, not our own.

Sometimes this thought can be scary because most of the time I'm unsure of what God's will is for my life. I find it hard to give God my gifts and abilities, sometimes I worry God will use them out of my comfort zone, I'm scared he won't use them in the way that I want him to.

Jeremiah 29v11 -

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

This verse challenges me everyday to trust that God has a plan for my life and to grow in a relationship with him involves me giving myself to him. All my hopes, desires, thoughts, dreams, passions, worries, anxieties. 

The chorus of Matt Redman's new song 'Here for you' is amazing and sums up some of what I want to be shouting every day.

"To You our hearts are open
Nothing here is hidden
You are our one desire
You alone are holy
Only You are worthy
God, let Your fire fall down

Let our shout be Your anthem
Your renown fill the skies
We are here for You, we are here for You"

If you haven't bought his new album 10,000 reasons you're seriously missing out on some insane music.

love me.