Music Monday: “Alive And Breathing” by Matt Maher (featuring Ellie Limebear)
By: Debbie Waltz
As part of my morning routine, I listen to The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Coble. This is a year-long devotional that reads the Bible in chronological order. As well as the devotional, there is a podcast (of the same name) where the author shares with you what caught her eye during the day’s particular reading. She likes to refer to it as her daily “God Shot.” a particular passage where she sees God. Tara believes this is important because, as much as we should see ourselves in the Bible, we should always see God!
Still, I’ve had difficulties sticking to the plan. I’ve stopped reading here and there but always come back to it knowing that this is an essential part of continuing to build a relationship with my Lord and Savior. I’m on Day 167-where we compare two different passages (1 Kings 9 and 2nd Chronicles 8). The passages in these chapters sometimes overlap, one providing more in-depth information than in the other chapter. I like that Tara reads with her audience (no matter how many times she’s done the plan before) and provides her own insights. These are themes I would not have recognized otherwise.
Being a Christian for most of my life, I’ve realized there’s still so much I need to learn. Granted, I’ve already learned a lot about Jesus simply by relying on him because of my disability and quadriplegia. But I realize my search for wisdom won’t be complete until Father face to face in heaven; this is when I will receive complete healing physically and my joy will be complete.
Throughout the Psalms, I’ve been struck by how authors mention how nature praises the Lord simply through its own creation. It doesn’t need to do anything else; it’s simply there testifying. The various authors also seem to connect deeply with this idea of passing down wisdom to their children. Not just because they realize the importance of passing down their faith through the generations, but they see the symbolism between parents and children as a picture of the relationship God wants with us! Proverbs uses the same analogy throughout its chapters. For example, Proverbs 19: 20-22 says,” Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wis went down dom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.” (ESV)
That’s why my guest posts (submitted by my dad) always focus on wisdom. It is important faith but rather commit to growing in it. As I’ve alluded to many times in past blogs, we are God’s messengers. We truly don’t know the lives we impact by the actions we do or the words say.. That being said we should want to do everything within our power to represent him right. This comes naturally by knowing him ourselves and by being in the word daily. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,..”
Because that’s the truth, we all matter to the Lord.
Yes, I said it. Both Christians and non-Christians matter to the Lord.
Before I go any further, I feel the need to stop here for a second. I’m writing to the person who may have stumbled onto this blog by chance for the very first time. You matter and are loved by The Creator of the Universe!
Whether or not we realize it, our words and actions say a lot about who we are and what we believe. As Christians, we are called to be “God’s Light In the Darkness”; this isn’t just some flowery sentiment. It’s what our world needs right now. So whether you are sharing the good news by witnessing to your friend or just giving friendly advice, remember what Colossians 3:23 -“24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
In the end, we all represent something.
What do you represent?
I chose Matt Maher”s song “Alive & Breathing” for two reasons. First, it reminds me that I should praise God through every season of my life. After all, nature praises God simply by testifying in their creation so I should do the same. Second, the song alludes to the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with all of his children. As Matt sings in the second verse, “The years roll by, we wonder why we lost our way from home. Our father finds the child inside we left for growing old ..” I am reminded of my own faith journey sometimes.
It’s not easy but God’s with me through it all