No fear. No retreat.

I can't even begin to describe how amazing this song is, and how much it has impacted me in the last....20 hours that I've known it's existence?



To give unselfishly
to serve the least of these
Jesus I'm learning how to live with open hands
All these treasures that I own
will never satisfy my soul
Jesus I lay them at your throne with open hands

I hold onto so much in this life - but it will never, ever fully satisfy me. Earth has nothing I desire but Christ. [Ps. 73:25]

I lift my hands open wide
let the whole world see
how you love, how you died, how you set me free
free at last, I surrender all I am with open hands, with open hands

God is slowly teaching me that I have absolutely no value outside of who I am in Him. I have no reason for existing besides to glorify Him. Nothing - and I mean absolutely nothing is worth doing if it's not to show what Christ has done for me.

I was reading in my devotional the other day, and it was talking about how, when we're in love with someone - we go pretty out of our way to show it. We buy them things, spend time with them, do things for them. And we talk about them to like, everyone. But do we show that same love to God? Are we so in love with Him that we can't stop talking, thinking, and ordering every aspect of our life to Him?

To finally let go of my plans
these earthly kingdoms built of sand
Jesus at your cross I stand with open hands

Let go of my plans. GAH. Why is that so hard?

You took the nails, You bore the crown
You hung your head, Your love poured out
You took my place, You paid the price
so Jesus now I will give my life

Jesus, I give you my life. Do you know that means my life?! Like, all of it? Like, every single aspect, nitpicky detail of it? From what I eat to where I live to how I live to the thoughts I think?

Francis Chan, the author of the book Crazy Love, recently preached this sermon - his last at this church - and it is so, so powerful.

"There are no cowards in heaven"



Forsaking all. Abandoning all. Giving up everything, surrendering it all for the one who can fill me completely: Christ.

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliot