easter

he is risen!!!!!!!

this morning i enjoyed singing about this world changing event in the midst of a couple hundred mongolians who were dancing, waving flags, and showing their joy in ways more obvious than i have seen it expressed in most american easter sunday morning services.  it brought me to tears to think about all the changed lives surrounding me that only a few years ago or even a few months ago had never experienced the joy of knowing that HE IS RISEN!

we boisterously sang songs that proclaimed this most beautiful of all truths.  it was like being at a high school pep rally - in the best way. :)  then the tone changed as one of the college aged guys brought out his violin and played during a song about our "servant king".  (this is an old song written by graham kendrick if you want to find all the lyrics) part of the chorus says: he calls us now to follow Him, to bring our lives as a daily offering of worship to the servant king.

we have sung this song many times on sundays, but today it rang true to me in a new way.  i was teary as i sang it, and looked around to see many of the same people who had just been cheering now crying as well.  i think the reality hit me that it isn't enough to just be joyful because he is risen.  certainly this is a response that pleases the father, but he wants more.  he wants us to follow him every day and give our lives as an offering of worship.  i know that more times than not, i fail in this.  instead of seeking to worship him in all things i find myself focusing on my own wants and needs, hurts and disappointments.  i am neither joyful nor living an offering of worship.  my desire for this year is to put Him ahead of myself and really, truly live as a follower.  i want the fact that he is risen to be the defining mark of my life!