Oh man, how this song just opened up my eyes. I have so many thoughts and feelings going on in my heart and mind, I dont know if Im going to give them justice trying to process them out to share. But I guess it wont hurt to try.

Sitting in worship practice when I first heard this song, I instantly liked it. And I will admit that the main reason was it was a new song in our church, and at Sonora Hills Community Church, that is exciting! But just reading along with the lyrics, theyre obviously very deep. I dont think this is just any ordinary worship song.

But anyways, sitting in church, taking a part in worship, singing the words of this song, its true meaning flooded my brain. I felt like it wasn’t a song anymore. I felt like these lyrics became the words of a conversation between me and God. I wasn’t just singing anymore. I was standing there having a conversation with my God:

“God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served”

The story of Mary and Martha, told in the book of Luke (Luke 10:38-42), instantly comes to mind when I think of this first verse. Some of you might be thinking…what the heck does Mary and Martha have to do with anything? Well, when Martha invited Jesus into her home her sister Mary instantly sat at the feet of Jesus and just listened to what he had to say. Martha on the other hand was distracted by pretty much being the perfect host for Jesus. Martha was upset at Mary for leaving her with all of the work. She was so upset she even complained to Jesus telling Him to tell Mary to help her. Jesus simply responded by telling Martha that there was only one important thing, and that is what Mary was focused on. So here is where my dots are connecting:

“Chose to serve and not be served”

Martha was so wrapped up in serving God. She invited Jesus (He’s kind of a big deal) into her house, and she wanted everything to be perfect for Him. Which, I don’t know if I can really blame her for that desire. I mean, I would FREAK OUT if Jesus was just chillen in my living room. Thats kind of intense. Haha. But anyways. Jesus didnt go into the house of Martha to be served. Thats probably the last thing on His mind. I doubt Jesus was looking around to see how clean the house was, or wondering what kind of great meal Martha was going to prepare for Him. He wanted to be the one to serve. And I dont mean in a literal sense, of cleaning or making dinner, or being a host. Jesus’ way of serving was through talking to these women, to share His insight and knowledge. And I think that is why He definitely favored Mary in this instance. She was being sensitive to the Spirit and allowing Jesus to serve in the way that He served.

I mean come on. Really think about this: This is Jesus, THIS IS GOD! I mean He could have walked into Marthas house and commanded the most ridiculous things, could have had such high expectations of the service He should get. And no one would really think anything of it, this is Jesus. He is worthy of anything He asks for, and so much more than these women could ever offer Him, in a physical or material sense. But all of that is what He did NOT want. He just wanted to be the one to turn around and serve them. Thats so crazy for me to wrap my mind around. The King of all Kings wants to be my servant. How am I even remotely close to being worthy of such service? IM NOT! But God loves me, loves you, so much that that is His desire. Moving on…because this thought can be a whole blog in itself.

“Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give”

Duh! God has given me so much in my life. My heavenly father has spoiled me like a princess. And again, all that I have, I have no right to any of it. But God loves to serve me, and to bless me. And I have happily recieved every bit of it. But, would I happily give every bit of what I have been given? Im going to just leave that there. :-)

“We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go”

The first time I heard this song and read the lyrics to this chorus, I think obviously, my mind instantly went to the thought of Missions (overseas missions). And maybe that was the intention of this song, because I think thats where anyones mind would instantly go, understandably. But that Sunday morning, in my conversation with God, it became so much more than that. And yeah the video I posted looked like it focused on the missions idea too…but still…bear with my train of thought here. This chorus is just so, profound! Why does my mind go to such a literal place?

As I spoke these words to God, He changed my heart for Sonora Hills Community Church. I’ve been going there technically since summer of ‘09. I considered myself, I guess, a “member” last year once I lived up here more permanantely. But to me, honestly, its just been the church Ive gone to, because thats where we (Old Oak Ranch) go. Its hasnt been anything personal for me. But this chorus applied just standing in that sanctuary.

When it says “live to feed the hungry” God wasnt telling me to literally feel people who are hungry, such as the homeless. He was telling me that I have been given a gift of leadership, and I need to live to feed those who are spiritually hungry. And you’d think, “Jenika, you are in a church, people are being fed.” Granted, they probably are, but that doesnt mean that I cant help feed them. And even going beyond the church, but with my family, my friends, in the town I live in, ANYWHERE I am: I should live to feed those who are spiritually hungry.

“Stand beside the broken” COME ON! We are all surrounded by broken people. I have been a broken person time and time again. And I will be broken probably 5,000 more times in my life. But God is calling me to be a person to stand beside His people that are broken. Not to fix them, that is not my job, and that is something the Lord is teaching me. But to just stand by them, and encourage them in their dark times. And just be sensative to the Spirit and let God shine through me.

“Stepping forward, keep us from just singing. Move us into action.” KEEP US FROM JUST SINGING! That was the exact experience I was going through. God was keeping me from just standing there singing. How many times have I been in church and really liked a song and just stood there and sang and worshiped. Which Im not saying that is a bad thing. If it were up to me I would stay in a world of worship forever. But as good as it feels sometimes to stand there and sing and worship God and feel His presence, we have to go beyond that. We cant just get into a routine of doing God’s will and feeling His presence only when the church sets it up for us. I want to do more than just sing! I want to take what I am singing about every Sunday and take it into action. I mean, just think of the last few worship songs you sang. What if every word that you sang you took into action, even if its just simply how much you love God. But seriously, if you put all those songs into serious action, and if everyone did that, think of how much we can change this world! Ahh, the thought is mind blowing!

But yeah. That is my passion for this song. God is truly opening my eyes to so many different things. I just feel so good right now. Stay sensative to the Spirit guys!

Love you all!

God Bless!

-Jenika

FILL US UP AND SEND US OUT! WE MUST GO!