This week is a powerful week for people who call themselves Christians. We spend extra time in worship. We prep for Easter. We pause to reflect. We clean the house for the gatherings we’ll host with family and friends. We put in a few extra hours at church but it is so worth it!
This week’s Music Monday is a powerful song by a group that is easily growing to be one of my favorites. This song, I AM by Crowder, especially its chorus contains some of my favorite words. Now it really depends how you read them, but I hear them not as me telling God that I’m holding on to Him. But as God telling me that through the storms and fear-filled moments the great I AM is holding me. Check out the lyrics again and read them with that in mind:
I am
Holding onto you
I am
Holding onto you
In the middle of the storm
I am holding on
I am!
You see the part of the Easter prep that many don’t see is the countless extra hours that pastor, worship leaders, church staff and volunteers put in to make Easter happen. I know that sounds a little strange but the flowers don’t order themselves. The music needs rehearsed. Each of those messages you’ll hear throughout Holy Week and Easter, they all take hours (for me about 20 hours per message) to study and assemble. Then undoubtedly there are family matters to tend to. Outside meetings that need to be attended. You can’t forget the other bible studies and regular business that happens each and everyday. (Nope we don’t just work on Sundays!)
This Easter some of you will be slammed with the harsh reality that things in your life are simply out of control. Some of those things will be illnesses, job issues, loved ones struggling, friends who no longer live near you, loneliness, and the list goes on. But in each of these moments hear the chorus of this song. I AM here. There’s never a place you will go that I AM not there. There’s never a hill or mountain you won’t climb that I will not climb with you. There’s no pain you’ll feel that I won’t feel too. There’s no distance you can run that will change any of this.
Jesus tells us all I AM here. In the middle of the storms of life, I AM.
Pastor, the words fill me with hope and His love. Add the photos and my tears flow.
Not my favorite style of music but the message is magnificent.
Thank you for sharing and encouraging.
Love ya.