from the inside out

so, if you know me, you probably know that I love Hillsong United. I didn't really get into them until maybe my freshman/soph. year of college, when they really exploded. I'm also a music person, so I'm always taking about new songs and lyrics and all that... haha.

First of all, I recommend all of their albums from "More than Life" all the way to their newest one "I Heart Revolution." Their lyrics are challenging, songs rocking... I really think the Hillsong church has cultivated over the years an incredible environment for unabashed, incredible worship.

one of my faves is a song called "from the inside out." it's one of those songs that proclaims so many great things about our Lord, as well as putting words to the rawness of our hearts. one of the lines says "Your will above all else, my purpose remains, the art of losing myself in bringing You praise."

doesn't that line just hit you right between the eyes? His will above all else? MY purpose? the "art" of losing myself? all in an effort to bring my Savior praise. I think I will be striving my entire life to get to the place where it is HIS will above all else. I have a pretty strong will of my own-- and I'm not sure that my "purpose remains" in seeking His will foremost. I'm working on it. I love how it says the ART of losing myself, like it's not just like begrudged calling we have as disciples, but an art, something to be practiced and perfected. Losing myself. I'm okay with losing myself to Christ. To live is Christ and to die is gain, right?

"and the cry of my heart is to bring You praise from the inside out, Lord my soul cries out!"

it's stuff like this that make me thrilled to be doing what I am doing. worship is not just music, or an awesome band or cool lights, or even a big auditorium. it's our hearts connecting to our Fathers, crying out to Him through song and giving him glory in a special way. we're going to be doing that through all of eternity, and I for one am going to be READY!