Encouragement

I must confess it's difficult for me to relate to the happy/good times Christian songs I tend to often hear. The below song came up on my iPod randomly yesterday, just when I needed to hear it. I could both relate to the wickedness and yet be encouraged that I'm not dependent on myself for salvation. I know for me it's so easy to get distracted or believe the great lie about self sufficiency & religion. I need to be encouraged and reminded that I don't stand on my own foundation, but the rock and foundation our Lord Jesus Christ built. We don't follow a religion. We follow Jesus Christ and are in a personal relationship with Him!

It might sound strange, but it's encouraging to know that I am fallen, sinful and wicked, but at the very same time reminded that I've been bought with the highest price and redeemed from the fate I deserve. This knowledge releases me from the weight and burden of my sins, as I can never repay the debt or make up for my sins.

I would encourage you all to actually listen to this song when you get the chance. It's off of the '40 Acres' CD.

Shifting Sand
by Caedmon's Call

Sometimes I believe all the lies
So I can do the things I should despise
And every day I am swayed
By whatever is on my mind

I hear it all depends on my faith
So I'm feeling precarious
The only problem I have with these mysteries
Is they're so mysterious

And like a consumer I've been thinking
If I could just get a bit more
More than my 15 minutes of faith,
Then I'd be secure

(Chorus)
My faith is like shifting sand
Changed by every wave
My faith is like shifting sand
So I stand on grace

I've begged you for some proof
For my Thomas eyes to see
A slithering staff, a leprous hand
And lions resting lazily

A glimpse of your back-side glory
And this soaked altar going ablaze
But you know I've seen so much
I explained it away

Chorus

Waters rose as my doubts reigned
My sand-castle faith, it slipped away
Found myself standing on your grace
It'd been there all the time