Even Though It Be a Crossby Jason Scott Stasyszen As we get further along into this year, it’s easy to start asking, “where are we headed?” Do I know the "ins and outs" of all of that- certainly not! But one thing I do know, we have to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3). As easily as past hurts and disappointments can hinder our pressing so can our victories and triumphs.
We have to resolve that everything serves to bring glory to Jesus. Whether mistakes and failures or great joys and advancements, we cannot let our hunger be deterred. If our desperation is there only until we reach the first plateau and then we are satisfied then something is wrong! What is the goal?It’s life and rest- perfect fulfillment of His will in and around us. What’s the prize? Knowing Jesus and walking in intimate fellowship with Him. Each trial and triumph must bring us to worship and seeking Him more ardently.
While reading some articles and doing some research, I came across a reference to an old hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee. This hymn has quite a history. Some survivors of the Titanic tragedy said they heard the orchestra playing this hymn as the ship sank. It has been played at presidents’ funerals and of course sung in churches throughout the world. The attending physician to President William McKinley said that as this man lay dying, his last words were “ ‘Nearer, my God, to Thee, even though it be a cross,’ has been my constant prayer.”
As I read these words, written by Sarah F. Adams in 1841, I was moved by the declaration of it:
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
Even though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Those are words of a hungry heart! “Whatever it takes, Lord, even if it’s a cross that gets me closer to you- I’ll do it!” Those are words of revival. Our problem today is that we want something for nothing. Everybody wants the great ministry, the powerful displays of His glory and presence, the anointing- the whole package. But so many simply aren’t willing to pay the price.
You don’t hear the sentiment of Sarah Adams echoed much today because we’re too busy saying “bless me, love me, give me.” This is not a word of condemnation, but one of warning and examination. We each need to let the Holy Spirit search us and know us, testing our inner thoughts and motivations (Psalm 139). We ask God to remove that which offends His holiness so that we might enter into deeper relationship with Him.
Somewhere along the way, a lot of His church has lost any desire for Him. There are probably a host of reasons for it, but when we deny God access to any part of us, we find our worship hindered- and for worship leaders that’s a huge problem. When we get stuck on how somebody hurt us or how we failed or made a mistake or how something didn’t go the way we thought it would, we lose our ability to be God-conscious and we become self-conscious. Likewise, we can get to a place of success and acclaim that we become satisfied with our talents and gifting and the level of anointing we have access to, and we are no longer crying out, “Nearer to You, O God!” We don’t want to face another cross or trial because we are comfortable where we are, everybody is starting to notice us and realize our great gifts. Lord, help us! Again, we become self-conscious.
Worship has and always will be about seeing who God is and responding to that revelation. I cannot stare intently into myself, no matter whether I see great things or evil, and be stirred to worship God. I have to focus my everything on Him and give it in passionate abandon. Even the elders, described in Revelation who sit around the throne, when faced with the glory and majesty of God threw their crowns down, knowing He was worthy of their victories and all. Seeing Him is the prescription for depressed, apathetic, complacent worship!
Spiritual renewal is birthed from people who recognize a deeply profound need for God, but there’s also the point that we cry out in desire of Him. One should lead to the other. Recently, I was at a conference where God was using people to cry out in intercession. As I made my way to the front, to the altar, I fell on my face just weeping. All I could say was, “we haven’t wanted You, Jesus. We haven’t desired You!” And it crushed me. I saw how we have rejected Him time and again and refused to give Him the worship and adoration that He is due.
God waits for the cries of His people, “Nearer, O God! What shall we do to be nearer?” At that same conference, I was enjoying the time of worship as a part of the congregation and God began to show me that what I said is not what I really wanted. I began to think about the scripture that relates the story of the finishing of Solomon’s temple for the Lord and how the glory of God came so strongly that the priests couldn’t even minister. Of course, we’ve all read that and thought, “wow, that would be amazing if that happened to me.” But when God pressed me on it, I had to admit that I didn’t really desire it. You know how I knew? My actions weren’t consistent with someone who desired that level of God’s glory and visitation. I was content to walk where I was comfortable. Sure, I would step out in faith where I had in the past, but there I knew He would catch me and therefore, I was comfortable. We see the same problem throughout the world, our actions display what our true desires are and reveal what we are after.
Are we simply after a great service? Are we after a prominent ministry? Are we after fame and fortune? Are we only after surviving another week?
It’s time to step out in faith into new arenas and areas. Forget what lies behind- all your achievements and your persecutions- that’s not what your focus is to be! It is Him- the One who created the universe and sustains it by His powerful word, the One who causes nations to rise and fall, the One who loved us so much that He crushed Jesus in our place that He might taste death for everyone and receive victory over it. He is our focus and it’s time to cry, “Nearer! Nearer to You, O God! I want to know You and see You like never before!”
Find the deeper place of worship. Seek the greater level of intimacy. Renew your passion to get to Him at any cost. Even though it be a cross… May we as the people of God begin to cry out in desperate seeking and worship the Lord in all fear and reverence. Each one of us must respond to His voice, and I want to say as Jesus did in His brokenness, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
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