“Speaks of the joy in living for Christ even while we wait for the fullness of that day when Christ returns” – Lamar Gibbs from dasouth.com.
That line is pretty much the description of this song. There are people that live on two extremes: one extreme is living in pain and misery looking forward to Heaven, and the other is living lawlessly not caring about the fate of your soul. We as Christians are not to just wait for Heaven, but to live our lives to the fullest while we are here. To fulfill His purpose for our lives so when we see Him in Heaven, He will say well done good and faithful servant. This song conveys that we can live a joyful life in Christ while here. Many people who are not saved feel that life in Christ is legalistic and no fun. That cannot be further from the truth when we truly live in Him. David expressed in Psalms 16:11 that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy. David the psalmist was a worshipper and was able to get to the heart of God in which He would experience joy, and forgiveness. Paul told us to seek the Lord and He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I wrote an article called “Utopia” for my home church’s newsletter some years ago. It was the first article I wrote and in it, I spoke about how everyone is looking for God whether they realize it or not. My current Pastor echoed that sentiment in a sermon not too long ago. Some people try to find God in possessions, money, alcohol, drugs, sex, etc. What they find is temporary pleasure, but never permanent. It is the ultimate trick of the enemy because we find ourselves going back to these very things to get that moment of pleasure once more. Then we get tired of the same thing and graduate to even more lawless things. People have gone broke, lost their families, and their lives chasing their “god.” If they had of chased the one true God, they would have found a joy that would last.
(more after the jump)
Life can be hard. Like Tedashii said in the song, “I feel the tension like I’m lifting while I’m waiting on my pension.” Sho Baraka states “When you’re in a nightmare and your dreams seem to have limits and you scream to the Heavens but they (your prayers) don’t pass the ceiling.” Other quotes from the song:
- “We have a great position in Heaven, but we still lust for that broken system.”
- “Possessions for the pleasure, but the pleasure never measures up, failure.”
- “Pain cuts deep with no visible incision, but I’m healed as I heal because I live in that dimension.”
Here the artist, do not deny that life is tough because in this life you will have tribulation (John 16:33). However, there is a dimension that we live in, that can only be found in Christ, that we find our peace while we are here on earth. Why would anyone want to live miserably and just wait for Heaven? What kind of witness is that to the lost? Our joy comes from Christ. For me personally, whenever I feel down, I reflect on my life without Christ and how miserable I was. It reminds me that He is real and that I can live a fulfilling life until the Lord calls me home.
Paul is a good example of this. If anyone had the right to miserable it was him. He was living a good life being a persecutor of Christians. But then he was visited by God on the Damascus road and changed forever. Then he spends time in prison for the sake of the same God he gave up his life for in order to serve. Should he have had second thoughts, he could have; instead Paul stayed strong in his faith. Here are some quotes from Paul that I find interesting:
- I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. (Philippians 1:23-26)
- We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:8-10)
Paul is definitely feeling the emotion and difficulty of being incarcerated for the sake of the gospel. He also understands that he still had a duty to fulfill on earth. How can Paul stand so tall after losing his freedom? The joy of the Lord was his strength (Nehemiah 8:10). He wasn’t simply waiting for Heaven; he was living out his calling so when it was his time to go, God would be pleased. This is how we should live. Most of you reading this are probably not incarcerated (if you are then let Paul serve as your example), have people you love and that love you, have food, shelter, clothing, etc. If Paul can live this way incarcerated, we can live better as free men and women.
When we are in Christ, we are living the life. We can cast our cares on him for his yoke is easy and his burdens are light (Matt 11:30). As long as we seek him first, all of what we need will be added on to us (Matt 6:33). Meaning we don’t have to worry about what we will eat, where we sleep, or what we will wear because God will provide (Matt 6:25). It means the enemy (the devil) has no power over us and is already defeated (Rev 1:18, Hebrews 2:14-15). We have someone that loves us unconditionally (Romans 5:8) and understands our sorrows and pains. Isaiah proclaimed of Jesus our Lord “…the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) In Him we have all these things, and we are truly “living the life.”
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