We had a sinking moment before everyone showed up for the New Life in Christ course tonight. 8 pm had come and gone and no one had arrived. Tim, 6 liters of hot drinks, 2 cakes, and I sat in the classroom wondering what (if anything) was about to happen. Since he had his guitar, we started singing some English worship songs together. I had forgotten how much I missed singing. When we came upon "In Christ Alone," I felt my spirit lifting.

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

I'm so glad my hope, security, and purpose are in God and not in how many people show up for a meeting. 10 people did come and seemed to benefit from and enjoy the night, but my offering was for God before it was for them-- the best of my planning, organizing, teaching and leading, laid at His feet in worship.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

1 Comment

1. Edwin Smith on December 12, 2008 at 11:21 AM

   That is an encouraging song, and an encouraging story. God sometimes wants to bring you through things like that so that "your faith may result in glory and honor and praise at the revealing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:6). Praise to the only wise God!