Emergence

If there's one feeling I hate in life, it is the feeling of being overwhelmed. I can deal with sorrow. I can deal with pain. I can deal with guilt. I can easily deal with feeling like I've failed. And while all of these things can lead to feeling overwhelmed (overwhelmed with sorrow, etc.) I can't stand feeling like things are too much for me to handle.

I was praying this evening and trying to find some truth to dwell on that would give comfort to the unrest in my mind. It was then that the words of Chris Tomlin's song "I Will Rise" came to mind.

Jesus has overcome... and the grave is overwhelmed.

We recently introduced this song at Emergence. In fact, it is in next week's (5/3) set list. This part of the song has always been my favorite part. It brings to mind so much great stuff from the Bible, like:

Acts 2
22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Peter speaks these passionate words in Acts... and tonight it gave me some peace. 

What do I have in common with the grave? We're both overwhelmed. And while the grave can't hold onto Him, I need to. While the grave was overwhelmed by Him, I need to be overwhelmed with Him. If Jesus can overcome death, man's ultimate enemy, He can overcome anything I'm facing--and that changes everything.

Here's some insight on the song from the writer himself:

and if you've never heard it:

On a side note: tomorrow morning I will have the honor of singing at the funeral of Peggy Leonard. She was an amazing woman. I'll be thinking about these thoughts as I celebrate her life tomorrow. My thoughts and prayers go out to her son Mike. He will be the legacy she has left--my prayer for him is strength and peace in this time, knowing that Jesus has overcome and she is with the one who is overwhelming love.