I made a post on Facebook with a video of Christina Grimmie singing “In Christ Alone”.  The comment I made was  –

So sorry to hear about the senseless murders as of late. Saw this video and I think she did an awesome job with this song. I couldn’t help but really think about the last verse of this song that says “Jesus commands my destiny” and “Till He returns or calls me home”. We must always be ready because we never know when that time will be. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”-Romans 10:13

I have continued to think and ponder on this situation – this young woman in the prime of her life –  dying so young.  I only know of Christina Grimmie from being on The Voice.  I really did not know her songs or follow her career. She seems to be very talented and has a beautiful voice. Reading about her, Wikipedia said she identified herself as a Christian.  That is great news.

I can’t help but wonder how well she embraced the song she was singing in this video.  Did she really think about the words “Jesus commands my desinty” and “Till He returns or calls me home.” Do we really think about those words?  Our lives as we know it can end suddenly, in any moment with no warning.  We all tend to live thinking we will die of old age or that will never happen to me or my family.  We forget that our destiny is in the hands of a Higher Power.  The bible tells us our days are numbered.  “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:16

This brings up two points.  First, we need to live every day to the fullest, knowing it could be our last.  Death is a reality of life. I’ve been guilty of not even wanting to think about it – for myself or for others.  I’ve experienced death through my grandparents and most tragically through my mom with her cancer. But there is hope, a comfort in knowing I can and will see them again one day in heaven because of Jesus.  He made a way for that.  Sorrow and sadness are temporary when we look at the big picture.  Yes, our lives are changed when loved ones pass on.  We miss them and want to see them again.  That is only possible if you place your hope and trust in Jesus and what He did on the cross.

The cross brings up my second point (hang with me on this one).  When we sing and praise God through song do we really think about the words we are singing?  Do they mean something? Do you dwell on what it is saying and really sing it from your heart?  Or are they just empty words coming out of your mouth?  In the hymn The Old Rugged Cross it says “I will cling to the old rugged cross”.  Are you clinging to it?  Do you even think about it and its meaning?  Are you clinging to what Jesus did on that cross for you and why? We are loved and redeemed by that cross, our hope is in that cross.  Cling to it not only in hard times but in joyous times as well.  Another song by Hillsong called At the Cross says “At the cross I bow my knee, where Your blood was shed for me, there’s no greater love than this”.  Can you picture yourself bowed down at the actual cross with Jesus on it as if you were there that day (yes, close your eyes and imagine it).  His blood pouring down it. You grasp the base of the cross and cling to it, humbled.  The blood runs down over your hands.  You look up and see this amazing love being shown for you at that moment and for all your days. All that can and should come forth is thanksgiving and praise.  Isn’t that how our worship should be all the time? Another hymn says “Count your many blessings, name them one by one”.  Do we stop and think about all of the blessings God has given us or are we focusing on problems?  The new song Christ in Me by Jeremy Camp says “I want my life to be, only Christ in me”.  Is this the true cry of our heart?  Do we want our life to be like Jesus or look like the world? Maybe we want a little of both.  We are called to be set apart so are we? I could keep going with other songs but I’m sure you get the picture.  Whether they are hymns or praise songs, they are packed with powerful words to help us worship, praise and give thanks to our Savior, Jesus. Sing them with meaning and passion and hopefully your worship time will have a whole new meaning.

I have posted the video below of Christina Grimme singing In Christ Alone.  Be in prayer for her family and the families of these affected in Orlando.  Our only hope in our lives and in this nation is in Christ ALONE!