Music Monday: "Look What You've Done " by Tasha Layton
by
Debbie Waltz
As a writer, I try
and attend as many conferences as possible to strengthen my craft. Many of you
may remember me mentioning the virtual conference I attended last week; as
expected, I am experiencing what many call the "coming down from the
mountain" feeling. After being filled with The Spirit and connecting with the
community, returning home with a lot of energy and losing it over time
is expected. This isn't losing my purpose, just energy, and motivation.
Why We must Remember the Past
As I wrote this, I
couldn't help but realize how this paralleled our walk with God as Christians.
Stay with me here. When we first believe, we are all in- dedicated to the cause
of Christ. Over time, though, the newness of our faith wears off as it
then becomes part of a routine. This is where the danger lies.
. "Why is
that?" You may be asking.
The answer is quite
simple. Our faith becomes less effective when we forget how far we've come
because of God's grace and mercy. Granted, this happens slowly with a gradual
belief that we can do this life on our own. Must sign. We must never forget our
past and what God has done for us.
Three
Reasons Why We Don't Have to Live in The Past
While we must remember where we've
been, God doesn't intend for us to stay there. Why? I will list the reasons
below and explain them more in-depth in the paragraphs below. First and
foremost, He loves us just the way we are. Second, He redeemed us because he
has better plans than we could have for ourselves. Third, no matter what
happens in this life, God will work it out for your good if you are a Christian.
Now let's take a more in-depth look at
these reasons, shall we?
1.
God Loves Us
Just The Way We Are
We've all
heard the lyrics to "Jesus Loves Me" at some point in our life, but
have we taken the time to think about it. God didn't have to create us; he
could have made anything to satisfy his need for a companion. He did it anyway.
He also could have given us a mind that automatically believed; instead, he
allowed us the choice of free will. Romans 5:8 states, "But God
demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us." Paul expands on this idea even further in verse 10 as he
continues," For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him
through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we
be saved through his life!"
2.
God
redeemed us; his plans are better than the ones we could have for ourselves.
Not only did God love us, as illustrated above, but he acted on that love by
sending his one and only son Jesus Christ to redeem us from our sinful state.
In Latin, the word "Redeemer" literally means to "buy back."
The Greek translation also defines redemption more aptly as "to purchase
something that has been lost." Jesus paid the price for our sins past,
present, and future. (Isaiah 53:5-6.) In this one sacrificial act, he ends the
need for animal sacrifices. He, after all, is the only perfect and spotless
lamb there is. Therefore, we should rely on God's plans rather than our own.
Even though we can't always see what God is doing, we can trust Him. Remember
what Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future." Unlike
us, Jesus sees what the future holds and knows how our choices will impact
those around us- both the good and the bad. Isaiah 55: 8-9 reiterates, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord.
'the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.."
3.
Everything
will work out to fulfill God's purposes. As Christians, we all have grown up
memorizing Romans 8:28. But, contrary to popular belief, this doesn't mean
everything will turn out perfectly; instead, God will take our choices (both
good and bad) to further His kingdom and our sphere of influence.
I chose Tasha
Layton's "Look What You've Done" precisely for this reason. The song
begins by mimicking discouragement, voicing our thoughts as we try to live up to
God's standards and purposes for our life, but we fail. As humans, we aren't
perfect, and we will not be until we reach Heaven. We live in a fallen world;
as such, we are prone to fall back into old habits
But there's hope.
God will always help us stand back up and keep moving. If we truly repent and
turn our back on our old ways.
Jesus knows we
will stumble; He wants us to get back up…
No matter how
many times, just stand back up..
He is waiting
for you...
To listen to
Tasha Layton's "Look What You've Done," it can leave found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyfUdwGBjtk
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