There’s a new song our quartet is learning which is one of the most worshipful songs we’ve ever sung. It’s title is Holy Are You Lord. The music touches my soul significantly and the lyrics equally so. Our leader in the quartet told me he wanted me to sing the one verse adlibbing as is done in the recording. He also said to do the obbligato with the last singing of the chorus. For one thing, I couldn’t get through the song without crying. Secondly, and much more important to me, I struggle with regular rhythm let alone trying to make up my own! With all the ridicule I had growing up, if I do something different from others and draw attention to myself, I instantly have that same stifling fear that practically paralyzes me. Yesterday morning I was determined I should not let my fears get the best of me so I went over these parts of the song endless times so they could just be comfortable. Towards the end of this practice time I was actually starting to “get it”. 

This morning’s devotional was titled–“Reflecting Jesus”. A quote from it says, “This process of transforming you into Christ’s likeness progresses as you present yourself as a holy sacrifice unto the Lord in increasing measure.” (Romans 12:1-2) As I read this I began to see the gentleman who sings this song in live performance. His expression of worship was not self-seeking. Instead, it brings me into the presence of God’s Holy Spirit–it reflects Jesus! I realized this is what God wants me to do and what Mike was asking of me. God doesn’t want me to continue living in the paralyzes of my past. He wants me living in the freedom of my present that God has granted me. 

My “increasing measure” to let God transform me has needed me to recognize this error of thinking I’ve always lived with. THe freedom of expression that reflects my love for my Heavenly Father just as Christ did when He modeled this here on earth, is a new reality. I want to do this with real love and freedom for the Father who sacrificed so greatly for me!