Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: "In Christ Alone", CRU at UF, God, Identity
Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Florida is amazing. Rather, the power of God is amazing. And the way he uses Cru for his purpose is amazing.
It doesn’t hurt that nearly 1,100 students pack into one of the oldest buildings on campus — the University Auditorium — with architecture that resembles an old church. I mean, it helps the atmosphere when you don’t feel like you’re in a lecture hall.
But tonight’s worship and message spoke to me. Sure, “In Christ Alone” is going to get me every time… you know, when you’re hit right in the spot it takes to just completely knock you down? Yeah that’s the one.
Jimmy (Trent, UF CRU Team Leader) spoke on what we use to define ourselves, the things we constantly seek to identify our lives.
Our affiliations (sororities, fraternities, clubs, etc)… grades… majors… jobs… whatever.
All of these things we use to define us actually take away from the one thing that CAN define us. And, furthermore, the God who wants to define us.
In Revelation, God says “I know your deeds, that you are not hot or cold. I wish you would be one or the other.”
God wants us to be on FIRE. Not just hot.
Jimmy used going on a long run and taking a hot bath as his metaphor. That one doesn’t quite work for me… I don’t run. Period. So, rather, I will change it to that long hard day — you know the one — where you pour your heart and soul into the project, the paper, the job, the whatever and you’re finally done. But the release isn’t there yet.
That’s when I get in the shower, crank the water to scorching temperature (the degree where you wonder if the heat will melt the showerhead right out of the wall… okay, maybe only I wonder that) and climb in — FAST. Yeah, it scalds your skin for a second. Yeah, your skin turns bright red,and you wonder if it will fall off. But it feels SO GOOD.
That’s what God wants to be for us — our scalding-hot, cleansing shower. He wants to be our release.
Jimmy’s metaphor starts to work again here, when the hot water starts to run out and goes lukewarm. The relief isn’t there anymore. Who comes home from a long day (or Jimmy’s long run) and says “I think I’ll take a good, long, lukewarm shower now.” NO ONE.
I’m making it my goal to be on fire. I’m feeling firey. Perhaps my red hair will aid me in this venture… perhaps not.
Thanks for reading. S
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
Fulness 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 every 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 power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
