Sweetly Broken

Been meditating on the lyrics to this song lately. We watched a video in worship two weeks ago and it struck me powerfully. As the ordination train steams on I am confronted with the weight of my calling to ministry. This is not an intellectual exercise this season of preparation, this calling to ministry. It is a spiritual exercise.

The “trial of ordination”, as lovingly laid out in the 19th and 20th chapters of the Book of Church Order, is more in my experience a spiritual trial. God continues to bring things to my mind, setting them before me and asking if he might take them for me. My sins, my reputation, my integrity, my passions, my anger, my many loves. The intellectual side has been difficult, sure. The heart work has been nearly unbearable. But I thank God for his faithfulness to his promises.

Jeremy Riddle – Sweetly Broken
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To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

Chorus:

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

[Label: Vineyard Music]

~ by Nate on September 25, 2008.