I love Sunday evenings— time to relax after a busy week of music and work with the church. It’s a time when I often find myself sitting behind the piano, sometimes creating new songs, but most often singing and playing through some praise and worship tunes. This past Sunday evening was no exception.
That morning, I had been a part of leading worship at FRC, and in addition to worshipping with Crossroads, we also welcomed the talents of Anna and Julia Johnson. These two sisters grew up in our area, but they have spent the past two years inNashvillepursuing a musical career. It was truly an honor to hear their music that morning and even have the chance to sing along.
I guess I was feeling inspired by the abundance of good music, and that evening, I just couldn’t help but play a few songs; the tunes I chose flowed straight from my heart— songs like “How Great the Father’s Love for us,” “At the Foot of the Cross,” “Waiting here for You,” and finally “You are my King (Amazing Love).” All the songs stemmed from a focus on Lent, and I have been practicing many of these as the season of Lent continues.
But I soon found out that this was more than a practice session, for suddenly, a lyric struck me and I couldn’t get through the song without choking up. I was singing “You are my King,” and I found I couldn’t seem to comprehend the immense weight of the lyric: “Amazing love, how can it be, that You, my King would die for me?”
It’s a question I’ve been pondering recently but through a different lens. I love the observance of Lent when Christians can gather together and reflect on the sacrifice of our Savior. The truth is that He died for each one of us, despite the sin, grief, and guilt that exists in each one of us. That’s why His sacrifice is so remarkable. As the verse of “You are my King” puts it: “I’m forgiven because You were forsaken. I’m accepted; You were condemned.” The contrast in those lines is what brought me to the realization that I am nothing without Him and His sacrifice. He gave it all for me and never once looked back despite the immense weight of sin and death that He carried on His shoulders.
In my posts, I’ve often referred to Jesus as my best friend, and that fact hasn’t changed. But what brought me to tears that day is that He’s not just my best friend; He’s the king of everything in this world and beyond, and He is my King. To recognize that your best friend is THE KING, well… there are hardly words! How can I not help but want to worship and serve Him in return!
This is why I do what I do. This is why I get up early on a Sunday morning to power up a keyboard and sound check at the microphone. This is why I have participated in groups like Crossroads and built OneVoice from the group up. This is why I compose songs, write books, mentor teenagers, and minister to friends in the disability community. It’s all for Him, my best friend, THE KING. As “You are my King” concludes; “Amazing love, I know it’s true, and it’s my joy to honor You… In all I do, I honor You.”
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