Saturday, November 2, 2013

My Heart Song

Earlier this year I learned what my heart song is.

Back in April I was told of a book by Nik Ripken entitled "The Insanity of God: The True Story of Faith Resurrected". I challenge each and every one of you to read it. The book isn't long and is quite engrossing, but you can't read it quickly. It's just too powerful.

Towards the end, I learned of a man in prison for Christ in this last century who stood every morning in his cell and sang a worship song - no matter what. Through pelted with both insults and other unimaginable materials, he sang this Gospel song with no sign that any good would come from it. After much time (years, I believe) he was taken from his cell to be executed. That's when the entire prison stood to their feet and sang the song in it's entirety. It freaked the prison officials out so much with the power of the song that he was instead released. 

He called it his Heart Song.

That's when I started thinking about it. What one song should I memorize that would be my witness, hope, and strength to sing if I were ever placed in that situation? Have you ever thought about it? You might want to. Not that I believe we will all be going to prison for our faith any time soon (though the possibility seems more realistic than it did even 10 years ago), but because we need to understand just how important our faith is. We need to remind ourselves what we would endure for the sake of Christ. In a sense, Just how much do I really love Him? I wanted to find a song that summed up my life in Christ. And I didn't have to search long for it.

God has called my life and heart to Ireland. And that's where my song was penned. 

Soak the words in. Do you really believe them? No. They are not Scripture, but an amazing summation.

In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Ask God to search your heart today. Is He really your all in all. Your one hope and joy?

Now, go find your heart song. Memorize it. Worship Him. Rejoice! Weep. And love Him ALONE.

Please share your heart song in the comments below!

1 comment:

  1. I agree with your recommendation of Ripken's book. It is a good read, I wish I could say a must read for all of us Christians living in very comfortable situations - yet it makes me uncomfortable! Sadly I know too many believers who refuse to read, more content with sound bites from others.

    As a bible and theology teacher at a Christian high school I'm going to assign a "heartsong" activity, identify a song and scripture passage.

    PS: found your post while giggling for heartsong, thanks.

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