A dear friend attended church with me yesterday. This past year she’s walked with me through a myriad of unexpected trials, disappointments, and struggles.
She knows my heart.
Our church has exceptional and moving music each week. As we sang together, my friend leaned over and whispered, “I bet you have trouble not crying every week.”
I smiled and nodded. I said, “Usually I’m pretty good, but there are certain songs…”
That’s when the words came up on the screen. 10,000 Reasons, by Matt Redman. It doesn’t matter how often I sing this song, my heart swells, my eyes well up, and I want to shout out the chorus with hands clenched in fists of victory.
The words to 10,000 Reasons had me thinking all day.
I’ve been saved for 31 years. That’s 11,315 days. 11,315 days that I could have chosen to find a reason to praise my Jesus. 11,315 days to stockpile 11,315 reasons that could comfort me, encourage me, and remind me of God’s faithfulness in times of trouble.
And sadly, 11,315 days to grumble, complain, and doubt. 11,315 days to erase the joy held out to me. 11,315 days to choose a worshipless life instead of a worshipful life.
I’ve wasted too much time…
One verse of the song, in particular, really speaks to my heart.
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
Wow! I settle for so little. I spend my days praying that God will get me through the trial, the disappointment, the struggle, in one piece. What a low and shallow goal. What a joyless existence.
I have to aim higher! I have to pray bolder!
No matter what each day brings… I want to be singing when the evening comes!
No more cup half empty Christianity…It’s time for courage; not cynicism.
If I’m honest, too often it’s not even about being a cup half-full Christian. Too often, I’m just scraping the bottom of the cup, hoping to outlast the day before it outlasts me!
What a sad testimony of the Christian life. What a sad version of the Spirit-filled life…
No, it’s time to live what I believe. And what I believe is found in the words of the second verse of 10,000 Reasons.
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger.
You’re name is great, and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
I’ts time to overflow! It’s time to sing out loud! It’s time to spill over with praise and worship for His holy name.
Are you with me?
10,000 is just a start! Let’s fill our days with praises, and then, lay down singing when the evening comes!
God bless,
Megan
Megan Scheibner 